AAE Wine and Roses by Cynthia Muak

AAE Wine and Roses

by Cynthia Muak

Chapter 1. 1

Chapter 2. 4

Chapter 13 (Conclusion) 36

Chapter 1

“Shan Mei, where are you? The class is about to begin. There are only 12 persons registered for this course, and your absence is very noticeable.”

“I am just on the next street, walking as fast as I can manage. But you know the crowds at this hour of the evening. Trying to jostle through them still takes a lot of effort. I’ve now reached the traffic lights. Another 3 minutes and I shall be there.”

“Why do you always leave everything to the last minute? You could have left your office 15 minutes earlier and avoided the after-office crowd.”

“I’m so sorry Yong Xi. An important client, who was up at my office, wanted to make so many last minute changes to her company’s 1st Quarter of the Year set of accounts, I couldn’t leave the office until she has signed everything. I didn’t expect her to stay that long. Which floor did you say the classroom is on? You know April is always a busy month for me.”

“3rd floor, Room D. Hurry up. Miss Morcom just walked in.” Liu Yong Xi whispered down the phone, as she disconnected the line and quietly made her way back to her seat.

Liu Yong Xi and Zhen Shan Mei had signed up for an 8 weeks, 2 meetings per week wine course, organized by the Wine Masters of Seoul. This wine course was supervised by a visiting wine mistress, Miss Elizabeth Morcom, from the headquarters of Wine Masters in London. It appeared that the young professionals and executives of Seoul had followed the current world wide trend of wine-drinking, the silent majority acknowledging that wine was indeed a much healthier alternative to hard liquor like whisky, cognac and vodka.

These courses were introduced so that students interested in visiting the several different wine-producing regions of France would be armed with some basic knowledge of the French wine culture – how the vines were grown, which grapes were suitable for the types of wine, how wine was bottled and graded, how to taste and spot a good wine. The students were spoilt for choice regarding the itinerary – one trip was to the Champagne district, one to the Cognac district, one to the Central-South region for the famous wines around Macon and Lyon. And of course the main highlight of the month of October was to visit the French villages producing Beaujolais. This particular wine must be drunk young. It seemed that this year, both the growers and bottlers had predicted an exceptional year for Beaujolais.

As Yong Xi, back in her seat, looked around the classroom, she noticed a familiar face. Wasn’t one of the two men sitting at the back of the room some one she bumped into frequently at the gym she went to? She wasn’t aware he was interested in wine? She wondered which tour he would sign up for, at the end of the course. The man who sat next to him was very handsome but quiet, and concentrated on his glass of wine and the brochures on his desk.

Moments later, Zhen Shan Mei walked into the classroom looking harried and flustered as she apologized to Miss Morcom for being late, then she slid into the seat next to Yong Xi.

The 2-1/2 hour lecture soon finished. Shan Mei appeared very excited and showed Yong Xi the notes she had made. Although she test-tasted very little, her face was all red, and she was in giggles telling Yong Xi she thought maybe she was a little bit drunk when she was packing her notes and papers away.

Outside of the classroom, Yong Xi suggested Shan Mei take a taxi home and was about to call for a taxi on her mobile-phone, when Shan Mei told her she wanted to walk around a bit for some fresh night air, seeing it was already April – not too cold or too hot for strolling around. “Yong Xi, I need some exercise. I’ve been cooped up in the office all day, working almost non-stop. Then, a further 2-1/2 hours in a room talking about wine. To show you I’m sorry for being late, I’ll buy you dinner.”

Yong Xi was agreeable to that and laughing at some private joke, they made their way to some side streets nearby. After a while, they stopped by a roadside food booth for some noodles. As they sat down, Yong Xi again saw the familiar face of THAT man. Pretending nothing was amiss, Yong Xi very quietly said to Shan Mei, “Don’t turn around but that man I told you about in the wine class is here with his friend. I can’t understand. How can they get here so quick?” She broke off when a waiter came by and she placed their food order. As soon as the waiter walked off, Yong Xi continued with a derisive smirk, “No wonder that man, in spite of the amount of exercise he slogs through at the gym a few times a week still hasn’t managed to stave off any kilos.”

THAT man, as Yong Xi identified him, had been trying to get her attention as soon as he realized the two prettiest ladies in the wine class were only a few tables away. Earlier in the evening, he had wanted to go up to Yong Xi and introduce himself. Unfortunately just as he had mustered enough courage to approach her, Miss Morcom, the class lecturer, walked in. He sat down in his seat again. Immediately after class, his friend told him he was very hungry and hurried him off in search of some food. Just his luck when he saw the girls sitting down at the same food stall.

As soon as that man noticed that Liu Yong Xi was looking his way again, he smiled to her and gave her a little wave of his hand. On a prompt from him, his friend turned to look at her and gave her a polite nod of his head. Yong Xi pointed the men out to Shan Mei. She looked up from her bowl of noodles and returned their polite nod.

The man from the gym walked over to the girls’ table and introduced himself. “Ladies, my apologies if I sound affront. I am Kim Zian Da, and my friend, still sitting at our table, is Yin Xiang Zhe. Just want you to know that we enjoyed this evening’s wine class very much.”

Yong Xi extended her hand and introduced herself in a friendly tone, “I’m Liu Yong Xi and this is my friend Zhen Shan Mei. You guys interested in wine, or in the trip?”

“I don’t know about my friend. He just came along when I insisted he come to keep me company. But I’m interested in both. What about you girls?”

“We’re interested in the wine and the trip. We’ve signed up for the Beaujolais, Macon and Lyon October trip. They say this year, the vintage will be exceptionally outstanding and the young wines for the Beaujolais should taste great.”

Kim Zian Da beckoned his friend over to the girls’ table. He ordered some more beer since they had finished their noodles, and sat around to chit chat with the girls. Kim Zian Da chatted most of the night with Liu Yong Xi, while Zhen Shan Mei and Yin Xiang Zhe simply sat there, one looking down and sipping her hot barley tea, the other also looking down and playing with his glass of beer, both with nothing to say.

After a while, Shan Mei excused herself, saying it was getting late. She wanted to go home. “Shan Mei, can’t you stay a while? Tonight’s weather is so pleasant, I am not ready to leave,” Yong Xi protested. “Apparently, Zian Da and I have a lot of common things to talk about, especially about those lousy instructors at the gym where we work out at.”

Zian Da agreed immediately and suggested to his friend Xiang Zhe, “Why don’t you send Miss Zhen home since you told me earlier that you have to leave early too because you have something urgent to do at home?”

Xiang Zhe looked up, baffled and surprised at Zian Da’s claim, because he had said no such thing. Before he could make a comment, Zian Da already pushed him out of his seat.

Away from the food booth, Shan Mei turned to Xiang Zhe and shyly said, “Mr. Yin, it’s not necessary to send me home. I just agreed in there so Yong Xi wouldn’t feel bad with me leaving by myself. Please go back to them.”

“Miss Zhen, it’s very late. I don’t want to go back and disturb them. Didn’t you notice Zian Da was trying to get rid of me?” he responded and laughed lightly. Walking along the pavement next to Shan Mei, he had slung his jacket over a shoulder, and with his other hand in his trouser pocket, he looked casually and devastatingly handsome when his laugh lighted up his face momentarily. “I am going to go home anyway. I’ll feel better if I know you are safely home.”

Shan Mei didn’t want to stand on the street arguing with this Mr. Yin at this late hour, so she quietly accepted his kind offer. She followed him in silence as they walked toward the spot where he had parked his car.

In the car, Yin Xiang Zhe was feeling a bit uncomfortable with the silence. Normally, when he drove, he was usually on his own; he never had to engage in conversation. Now, if he remained silent, it would appear he was ‘unfriendly’ and that was the last impression he would want Miss Zhen to have of him. After she gave simple directions to her house, his mind was gushing with lots of questions. He wanted to know as much as possible about this girl, but was afraid he might appear too intrusive.

What the heck, he finally convinced himself. He had to start from somewhere. Why couldn’t he be smooth like Zian Da? He tried to remember how Zian Da started off his conversation with that Miss Liu Yong Xi earlier at that food stall. Oh yes – Wine! He took a deep breath and tried to muster as much confidence as possible.

“You don’t like wine, Miss Zhen? I noticed you didn’t take any wine this evening at the class.”

“I’m interested in wine culture, but I have low tolerance of alcohol. I didn’t want to end up in the classroom tipsy and making a complete fool of myself.” Shan Mei giggled softly as vision of a drunken her wobbling about the room creating havoc. “I think wine is a new trend soon to be embraced by the yuppies in Seoul. Liu Yong Xi and I are thinking of opening a wine bar. We’ll see after I visit London.”

“You mean, after visiting France?” Xiang Zhe interrupted, thinking Miss Zhen was already a bit drunk, getting her geography mixed up.

“For the wine, we’ll be visiting France. After that I’ll continue on to London. My father lives in London with his sister. I’ll go check out the wine bars in London and then decide whether a wine bar in Seoul will be a viable venture. I want a place along similar lines.”

Xiang Zhe was very pleased with himself. He had got the conversation going and from what he had heard, it seemed the two girls were onto something interesting. Before he could come up with his next question, they had arrived at Shan Mei’s house.

After alighting from the car, she thanked Xiang Zhe for the ride. “Thank you again Mr. Yin for sending me home. I am sorry I’m keeping you from some very urgent work.”

“It has been my pleasure. See you on Friday, Miss Zhen.”

She gave him a sweet smile, turned and unlatched the gate to the garden of her house. Xiang Zhe watched as Shan Mei ran into her house. He waited until the lights in the house came on, before getting back into his car and drove off.

Early the next morning, Yong Xi was on the phone with Shan Mei and rambled on for almost half an hour about that Kim Zian Da. She never realised that Zian Da was such an interesting man, and he had a great sense of humour, not like his friend, that Yin Xiang Zhe. Although he was very good looking, he was dour and no fun at all.

“Didn’t you notice? All night, he simply sat there next to Zian Da, his face all set and humourless, looking into his glass of beer, as if bored with the whole world. I feel sorry for you having to accept his offer of a lift. Were you bored stiff with his ‘silent’ treatment all the way home?”

“It was alright,” Shan Mei answered good-naturedly. She didn’t want to offer further details.

Yong Xi gushed further. “Zian Da is going to sign up for the same trip as ours. He’ll have to see whether the organiser can get him a room mate, seeing it’s twin-sharing basis only. That bore is not going. Zian Da had a hard time just to get him to accompany him to the wine tasting class. That guy only likes to keep himself busy with work during weekdays, and with baseball on the weekends.”

Shan Mei, seeing that Yong Xi now had established friendship with Zian Da, didn’t want to stay around after their wine classes, and always made excuses to escape as soon as classes finished.

And that set the pattern for their evenings at the wine classes.

Chapter 2

One night after class when she was at the bus-stop waiting for her bus, Xiang Zhe saw her and stopped his car alongside the bus stop and insisted on taking her home. She became embarrassed when the on-lookers around the bus-stop stared at her and told her, in loud tones, to get going and not get in the way of their approaching bus, so she got into his car, not wanting to create more noise.

During the drive, Xiang Zhe wanted to suggest stopping by a food stall for some noodles, but he was too shy to ask, seeing Shan Mei was sitting stiff and uneasy in her corner of the front seat.

A few weeks had gone by.

Tonight was already the twelve night of class, another 4 classes more to go, yet Xiang Zhe hadn’t managed to determine whether he was finding the classes interesting. The only thing he really looked forward to on the evenings of the class was to see whether he could think up of an excuse to have supper with Zhen Shan Mei, and then send her home. So far, he had not mustered enough courage to invite her for supper, or managed to offer her a ride home, except that time when he happened to espy her at the bus stop. She always disappeared as soon as class was over and though he drove around the area a few times, he never managed to catch her again, not even at the bus stop. Tonight, he left before class was over and waited in his car outside the school building, so he could catch Shan Mei when she appeared from the building.

He managed to approach her when she emerged from the lift lobby of the building and talked her into accepting a ride home. In the car, he wanted to invite her for supper, but was afraid he might appear too obvious in his motive. Just as he had worked up enough courage and was about to ask whether she wanted to stop off somewhere for supper, they had arrived at Shan Mei’s house. As if right on cue, his stomach rumbled with hunger. Both of them laughed.

“Mr. Yin, you haven’t taken your dinner?”

Xiang Zhe was embarrassed at being caught out. “This evening, I was too caught up with work, I didn’t have time for a snack before attending class. It’s alright. I’ll try to cook myself some noodles when I arrive home.”

“Mr. Yin, thank you for the ride home. If you don’t mind a simple meal, please come in and share my dinner with me. I have cooked something for myself.”

Xiang Zhe was all excited, but outwardly he remained calm. He made a show of being embarrassed, wanting to know whether there was enough food for two seeing she didn’t expect anyone for dinner. “I’ll love to come, if it’s convenient. I don’t want to get you into trouble. By the way, my name is Xiang Zhe, and not Mr. Yin.”

Inside the house, Shan Mei invited Xiang Zhe to sit down at the dining table, while she brought out the food. There was stew pork being kept warm in a slow cooking crock pot and many kimchi side dishes. Fragrant cooked rice was ready in her small rice cooker.

In a short time, Xiang Zhe finished off two bowls of white rice, with the delicious pork stew. He would have loved to throw his rice into the crock pot and eat directly from it, but was afraid Shan Mei would accuse him of being a glutton, or someone who hadn’t eaten for days! He had never tasted such delicious stew pork and kimchi dishes.

During his drive back home, he couldn’t contain his happy smiles. Every time she appeared in class, she looked elegant and beautiful in her business suits. He never realised she could cook, and cook so well. Didn’t most people say the young, modern misses of today, apart from knowing how to spend money, didn’t know how to do much else? His sister-in-law was a living example of this adage. This evening’s dinner of mixed vegetable soup, stew pork and kimchi was one of the most enjoyable meals for him in a long, long time.

The only times he had home cooked meals were when he went home for dinner. He never liked going home nowadays; his father was always trying to get him to meet this girl or that girl. The last time he dropped by home, he had told his father he was not interested in marriage yet. He wanted to enjoy his carefree lifestyle, without a woman hounding him.

“What you mean is you want to fool around first before settling down?” Yin Senior growled at his son’s evasiveness. “Why do you want to act difficult? Why can’t you be more like your brother, married and with a young family of his own?”

“No, Dad, that’s not what I mean if you mean I want to fool around with girls. The truth is I don’t have confidence I can make a girl happy. I find all the daughters of the uncles coming for tea or dinner too pretentious for my liking. I don’t feel comfortable at all in their company. I don’t know them at all – why do they want to marry me – for our family status, money or for my looks? If I don’t find one I can love wholeheartedly, I’m not going to marry.”

“What’s wrong with arranged marriages? Isn’t your brother happily married and his was an arranged marriage. I only met your mother once over tea before we married.”

Xiang Zhe rolled his eyes upwards, his hands clasping his temples and sighed, “No wonder.”

Yin Senior’s gaze bored into his son and asked angrily, “What do you mean by that cryptic remark?”

“I’ve always wondered why Mum is always so quiet around you. Dad, ease up, otherwise I don’t even want to come home for the occasional meal.” He threw down his pair of chopsticks, his appetite suddenly off. He made his apologies and left the dining table.

Mrs. Yin Senior gave her husband a reproachful look, as she ran after their son calling, “Xiang Zhe, honey, finish your dinner before you go.”

Xiang Zhe was already opening the front door and was almost through it when he turned and told his mother, “Sorry, mum, but I have had it up to here,” pointing to his throat. With that, he stormed out of the house and slammed the front door shut with a loud bang.

The mother simply stood there, wondering what was bothering their son that his temper was on such a short fuse. Normally, he wasn’t like this at all. Moments later, the silence of the night was broken by the angry roar of a car engine. She knew for sure their son was very angry and it would be another few months before he would show up for a meal at home. She sighed and walked slowly back to the dining room, her shoulders stooped.

In October, 30 excited students from the Wine Master classes flew out of Seoul for Paris. Shan Mei was surprised to see Xiang Zhe in the group. She nudged Yong Xi in the arm and whispered, “I thought Zian Da had said he would not be coming?”

Yong Xi twisted her mouth and whispered back, “Zian Da said that bore had been acting strange these past few weeks. Zian Da was surprised too when one day that bore harassed him to go sign up for the trip before all the places were taken up. Such an unpredictable fool, but I’m not complaining. At least we’ll have one more person to help us carry our bags when we are through with our shopping.”

Their final stop on this trip was Beaujolais, because the first batches of Beaujolais pressed wine were usually served around this time of the year. Shan Mei bought two bottles of Beaujolais of Premier Cru. At all the other districts they visited, Shan Mei took countless photos with her digital camera, and made notes at furious speed in a thick notebook. She collected all name cards and literature. Soon the 8 days were up, and when they returned to Orly airport to take the return flight to Seoul, Shan Mei left the group, to continue onward to London.

London, Heathrow Airport was one of the busiest airports in the world but Shan Mei managed to pass through immigration without any hassle. At the luggage carousel awaiting her luggage, Shan Mei heard a familiar voice calling out to her. She turned around and saw Yin Xiang Zhe. When he got her attention, he ran up, a knapsack on his back and stood in front of her all smiling. He looked down at her, his hands half-shoved in his jeans’ pockets, looking disgustingly self-assured.

She asked in surprise, “Mr. Yin, what are you doing here? I didn’t know you were on the same flight? Where are the others?” Shan Mei looked behind Yin Xiang Zhe’s back to look for some familiar faces.

He laughed. “There are no others. We were the only two travelling onward to London. Zian Da and Yong Xi are staying behind in Paris. They will meet up with us on the flight going back to Seoul from Paris.”

Shan Mei didn’t say anything further but her mind was upset with Yong Xi for keeping this information from her. She ignored Xiang Zhe and directed her attention back to the luggage conveyor belt. When her suitcase appeared, Xiang Zhe immediately stepped forward to retrieve the suitcase and place it on the baggage trolley that he had beside him. When he had loaded up their luggage, he pushed the trolley and walked beside Shan Mei towards the Customs check point.

“You’re here on business?” Xiang Zhe didn’t answer immediately, until he got another prompting from Shan Mei, “Well?”

“You said you were going to check out the wine bars in London. I came along to give you some company. These places may not be too safe for a young and beautiful girl like you walking around on you own. I’ve heard the men, in English pubs, can get rather rowdy after a few drinks, especially if they have a football night on.”

“Are you serious, Mr. Yin?” Shan Mei didn’t believe what Xiang Zhe was telling her about coming along to keep her company, but the very fact that the thought had crossed his mind was very heart warming, and her cheeks flushed with warmth, thinking of his caring attitude. And he had been very helpful during the 8 days French trip.

As soon as Shan Mei walked through the security sliding door, she saw her cousin Youzhen the same time that his eyes fell on her. They ran towards each other, Shan Mei running into Youzhen’s outstretched arms, he grabbing her and swinging her around. “Gosh, I’ve missed my little pest!”

“What do you mean ‘pest’? Haven’t I grown? Am I not the beautiful young Miss you all claim I would grow up to be one day?”

Settling her back on the ground, Youzhen pretended to give her an overall assessing look, after which his face sported a wry grimace, a sly grin was definitely waiting to break out.

“How do you want me to answer, Pest? Do you want me to be candid or patronising?”

Before Youzhen continued bantering, he asked, “Where’s your luggage?”

Then he saw a handsome, 30-something year old man standing next to Shan Mei dutifully holding on to the baggage trolley.

“Oh, sorry, Brother Youzhen, please meet my friend Yin Xiang Zhe. Xiang Zhe has very kindly agreed to go bar-hopping with me to make sure I don’t get bullied.”

Turning to Xiang Zhe, Shan Mei introduced Youzhen, “This is my cousin Kim Youzhen. He’s a photographer with BBC.”

Both men gave one another polite nods, at the same time, penetrating looks to size the other up.

Shan Mei leaned close to Xiang Zhe and asked softly, “Have you booked yourself a hotel?”

“I was waiting for you to recommend a hotel close to your home.”

“We live in Brentwood, a pleasant suburb just outside of London, about a 10-minute train ride from London’s city centre. There’s no hotel close by. But, in your case, I know exactly the place to recommend.”

Chapter 3

“Brother Youzhen, is the granny flat behind our house occupied?”

Youzhen looked at her and was about to answer, when he got her drift. He whipped out his mobile phone and phoned his mother straight away. “Mum, is the granny flat clean and ready for occupancy? Shan Mei wants to put her boyfriend there.”

All three of them heard a long, piercing shriek coming down the phone line. Youzhen frowned and put the phone away from his ears.

When he put the phone against his ear again, Shan Mei’s father was impatiently bombarding him with questions. “Yes, Uncle, Shan Mei just arrived, but she’s not alone. She has brought along her boyfriend. What?” Youzhen covered the mouthpiece of his phone, turned to Xiang Zhe and asked him politely how old he was. He went back to his phone. “Uncle, the ‘boyfriend’ says he’s 31.”

Shan Mei was so embarrassed, she started hitting at her cousin, pinching his arm, the side of his waist, and then snatched his mobile phone away.

“Pa, it’s me. No, don’t listen to him. You know he’s always teasing. Mr. Yin is a friend who has very kindly accompanied me from Paris to London. I’ll only be staying 3 days. Is it alright to let Mr. Yin stay in the granny flat?” Her eyes lit up, and a dazzling smile appeared. “Thank you Pa. I love you so much. See you soon.” She stuck out the tip of her tongue at Youzhen when she handed his phone back to him.

“Let’s go,” she finally announced and hooked an arm through Youzhen’s elbow.

Throughout, Xiang Zhe simply stood there and smiled indulgently at her happy antics. She looked like a playful little girl, not at all the cool, serious student in the wine class, or the shy, nervous and fidgety hostess who invited him to share her dinner with her one night when he sent her home.

“Hey little miss, he’s really your boyfriend?” Youzhen asked as he inclined his head towards Xiang Zhe.

Glancing at Xiang Zhe, Shan Mei smiled mischievously at Youzhen and exclaimed, “He’s a friend who happens to be a boy.”

“Ha, caught you out. Telling Uncle you don’t have a boyfriend. You sneak, then bring him along to visit without warning.”

Xiang Zhe looked at Shan Mei in embarrassment and asked, “Would it be too much trouble for your family? I can always stay at a hotel.”

Shan Mei placed a forefinger to her mouth, giving Xiang Zhe a “shoosh”. Youzhen laughed and shook his head at his cousin’s bossy ‘attitude’.

In Youzhen’s car, while he was driving, Shan Mei gave him an update of her life in Seoul, since her arrival in the city 12 months ago.

Xiang Zhe, sitting in the rear seat and overhearing the conversation, found out that Shan Mei ran her own accounting firm in Seoul. Her accounting firm only provided accounting services for personally recommended clients, all of which were foreign owned companies. She had a partner, also a Korean and a graduate of the same university in London where she studied, and a common friend of Youzhen.

She told Youzhen, “I met Xiang Zhe six months ago when we both attended a two month Wine Master course.” Then she began to describe the various wines she had been taught and the wine regions they had just visited in France. “Yong Xi and I have plans to open a wine bar in Seoul.”

“So how has Yong Xi been doing? Still arty as ever?”

“You know her – free-spirited and doesn’t have a care in the world. She is still doing her interior designing thing. She seems to enjoy it very much. I am very happy for her.”

From their conversations, Xiang Zhe realized Youzhen also knew Yong Xi rather well.

When they arrived home, Shan Mei’s father and Gugu were waiting for them. They were extremely polite and showed Xiang Zhe to the granny flat at the rear garden of their house. They didn’t ask any embarrassing questions. Zhen Senior looked a very jovial type, and Shan Mei’s Gugu was the typical ‘mother hen’ type. She hadn’t stopped fussing over Shan Mei and Xiang Zhe since they appeared at the front gate of the house.

When Pa asked what Shan Mei wanted to do for the rest of the day, she simply told him, “We want to check out some wine bars in London. Yong Xi has suggested that we open one in Seoul.”

Zhen Senior looked pensive and then asked whether Seoul was ready for this type of thing. “Pa, Seoul looks and is completely different from your days. Now, the young people are very trendy and want what the West has to offer. Coffee Bean and Starbucks are the latest places to go to for a cup of decent coffee.”

Youzhen thought for a while and suggested, “Well, if you are serious, the Canary Wharf area is now the ‘in’ place with posh looking wine bars, opened only in the evenings. Many of those old godowns are now converted into classy watering holes. For inner city, the area in the precinct of Hyde Park around Oxford Street is a good spot to hit. Rent a couple of bikes and follow the on-street cycling route. You won’t go wrong. Many bars with alfresco dining have popped up around that area.”

Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei decided that would exactly be what they would do for their first day in London. Tomorrow they would scout the Notting Hill area.

Youzhen dropped Shan Mei and Xiang Zhe off somewhere around Hyde Park where they could rent bicycles and get city maps. They had a great time cycling and stopping whenever they saw some place interesting. Shan Mei made notes in her pad, took photographs with her camera, while Xiang Zhe gave comments, putting himself in the position of a bar fly to see what he didn’t like or what he did like about the place.

The sun had almost set when they returned the bicycles. They made their way down to Canary Wharf. After that, Shan Mei took Xiang Zhe to Bi Won, her father’s poshy Korean restaurant located on Victoria Street, somewhere near to St. James Park. ‘Bi Won’ in Korean meant ‘Secret Garden’ and it was set out exactly like that, reminiscent of the secret gardens in the Korean imperial palaces where the imperial concubines were housed. The food being served tasted simply divine.

Zhen Senior suggested Shan Mei and her friend grab a set meal, telling them to go home immediately after dinner and rest. They looked tired.

But Shan Mei had a different idea and began complaining, “Pa, this is the first time in a year I am going to have Gugu’s cooked food in the restaurant. I am going to order all my favourite dishes. I want stew pork, bulgogi marinated with Gugu’s special sauce, and Gugu’s special avocado salmon sushi, and of course Gugu’s special seaweed soup with fresh scallops.”

By the time they finished their dinner, Xiang Zhe could barely walk. He didn’t remember ever having eaten so much at one sitting. In the taxi home, he praised the food no end; he couldn’t understand why Shan Mei wanted to return to Seoul when she had everything here in London.

“Well, it was a very difficult decision for me. A college senior offered me an opportunity too good to refuse. He has on his hands several foreign clients. He wanted to open his own accounting firm. He has a good office space but no confidence to strike out on his own. We complement each other very well, because we specialise in different principles in our studies. We’re destined to be partners. He’s 6 years older than me and should have finished his studies long before he met me. During his first 3 years in London, he spent the time taking English language tuition, so when he was in his final year of finance and accounting studies, I was in my first year. During his stay in London, we attended the same college. We became very good friends, seeing we were the only two Koreans on campus. My Pa was the one who made the decision for me. ‘Shan Mei,’ he had said, ‘we have a house in Seoul, why keep it empty?’ He also wanted me to learn something about my roots. I’m not complaining. Our accounting firm is making good money. We have more than enough clients to keep us busy; we are not looking for more.”

“Your partner is from Seoul originally?”

“He is Sung Seung Won, 2nd or 3rd son of Chairman Sung Hae Yim of the Sungster Group. Seung Won is a great guy. When I told him what I wanted to do with Yong Xi, he encouraged us to go for it. He even wanted to invest in our little venture, but I’m not letting him. This is something Yong Xi and I have always wanted to do since the first we met when she was in London taking English language lessons and an Interior Design course. We used to cycle around the city and drop by open air cafés. Of course, it’s no longer cafés now but wine bars.

“This Mr. Sung? He’s your boyfriend?” Xiang Zhe couldn’t help himself from asking. He wanted to know. He had to know!

Shan Mei gave a short laugh. “Don’t be silly! He has his partner. In fact, I was the one who introduced him to his present partner. But all this is strictly confidential. Forget I ever mentioned it.”

“I don’t know him directly, but I’ve heard about him. The social magazines mentioned that he is unattached and one of the most eligible bachelors in town. I remember sometimes reading about him in the newspapers, about him attending some functions.”

“That’s why I just told you to forget I ever mentioned to you that he has a partner.”

When they reached home, Shan Mei found that Auntie Soo Ee, their housekeeper, had left out the laundered clothes they left for cleaning this morning before they went out. Xiang Zhe took his pile of clothes and went back to the flat. He was really tired.

In bed that night, he couldn’t sleep. His mind was full of Shan Mei and her beautiful smiles, her beautiful expressive eyes, and her sweet and gentle nature.

And this Sung Seung Won, surely he must be interested in Shan Mei? How could a man be working so closely with her everyday in the same office, not feel love towards her? And if he remembered correctly from the photos in the Social pages of the newspapers, this Sung fellow was very good looking. Xiang Zhe began to have misgivings. Had he been too rash, following Shan Mei to London? And here he was, unashamedly inviting himself not only to London, but staying in the Zhen’s granny flat. What would Shan Mei think of him?

In the morning, after a long soak in the bath, Xiang Zhe felt better. He had decided to seriously court Miss Zhen Shan Mei. Before last night, he had thought he would quietly woo her, giving her time, so as not to scare her away. Now, it was different, being made aware of Sung Seung Won’s existence and how prominently he figured in her life. He had to make his move fast, before that Sung Seung Won decided he wanted Shan Mei too.

Chapter 4

The next morning, the phone in the granny flat began buzzing. It was a phone extension from the main house. Shan Mei was on the phone asking Xiang Zhe whether he was ready for breakfast.

In no time, Xiang Zhe was at the main house, enjoying breakfast of special porridge and side dishes prepared by Gugu. Youzhen had left for work very early that morning, and would drop back by the house around that time in the morning, to catch some food.

Youzhen, now at the dining table, began complaining to his mother how come she never bothered to prepare such great porridge for him. He winked at Shan Mei. “Pest, your Gugu ever made such special porridge for you?”

Shan Mei shook her head and gave Youzhen a forlorn look.

Gugu laughed and told them to stop their teasing. “You children have been eating from my table since babies, so you already tasted the best from me. Xiang Zhe has said he seldom has home cooked meals, so I have to surpass my normal standards to make the best for Xiang Zhe, to make him feel welcome.”

The seniors kept pushing the best towards Xiang Zhe, their hearts very gratified, hoping this Yin Xiang Zhe was really Shan Mei’s choice for life partner.

After they finished their meal, Youzhen told Shan Mei, “Hey, I am on my way back to the BBC studio. If you people hurry up and grab your things, seeing I’m in generous mood this morning, I’ll drop you off at Notting Hill.”

Shan Mei and Xiang Zhe roamed around the area for a full 2 hours, then decided to sit down somewhere for drinks and some snack. As they approached the open air tables outside a wine bar, a girl at one of the tables stood up and waved frantically to Xiang Zhe. “Xiang Zhe Ge, over here.”

One look in that direction of the voice and several frowns appeared on Xiang Zhe’s forehead. That was the bothersome next door neighbour Miss Xu living in one of the apartments on the same floor and building as he.

Xiang Zhe grabbed Shan Mei’s hand in his and pulled her along to Miss Xu’s table. She was with two other girls.

Stepping up to Xiang Zhe, and hooking her arm at his elbow, she introduced her two friends, telling Xiang Zhe she flew in with Korean Airlines last night. After the long haul flight, she and her colleagues would only fly out this evening, and asked him whether he would be flying out by Korean Airlines that evening out of London. When she was saying that, she was eyeing Shan Mei and noticed that Xiang Zhe was holding her hand in a loving way.

Xiang Zhe politely and purposely removed Miss Xu’s arm from his. “Hello Miss Xu. What a small world? I didn’t expect to meet you here. My girlfriend and I are checking out the Notting Hill area.”

Turning to Shan Mei, Xiang Zhe told her, “Darling, this is my neighbour Miss Xu in the apartment block where I live. You know, the one I told you about, asking me to help her replace fused bulbs a couple of times in her apartment? I didn’t want to, because I’m no electrician but you always tell me I have to be a helpful neighbour. Miss Xu is an air stewardess with Korean Airlines.” He then returned his eyes on his neighbour. “Miss Xu, please meet my girl friend, Zhen Shan Mei. I hope you will cease acting so overly familiar with me. My girlfriend may jump to the wrong conclusion. After all, we are only neighbours and rarely meet. My girlfriend and I are leaving only tomorrow morning for Paris,” then he turned to give Shan Mei an indulgent smile.

Miss Xu’s face went red with embarrassment at the snub that Xiang Zhe just handed her. Her friends saw how Yin Xiang Zhe unhooked her arm, and how her face paled when Yin Xiang Zhe introduced Zhen Shan Mei as his girlfriend, and they had sniggered maliciously, loud enough so that she could hear to let her know that they heard what Mr. Yin had said about her overly familiar ways. Oh yes, her colleagues at Korean Airlines had all heard about Yin Xiang Zhe and how she was stringing him along!

Xu Ying Mei’s colleague never really liked her, and simply tolerated her when they were teamed together in the same shift crew. This Xu Ying Mei was not popular at all with her other female colleagues too, because she was always so boastful and thought she was the most beautiful girl of the whole bunch, and could attract any man she wanted. She had been telling her friends Yin Xiang Zhe, a qualified lawyer and Director of the Legal Division of Wen Rong, his family’s holding company, was very interested in her, but she still hadn’t decided whether he was the right one. She had so many suitors of higher calibre, she didn’t want to make the wrong choice.

Xu Ying Mei had purposely spent a large part of her salary, to rent an apartment in the same apartment block where Yin Xiang Zhe and other highly eligible bachelors resided. Many of Seoul’s elite lived in the area, and Xu Ying Mei thought her chances of meeting some rich guy were good.

One day in the lift, not long after she moved in, she met Yin Xiang Zhe and had decided to get his attention at all cost. She checked with the apartment caretaker to find out his habits, and the car he drove. When she knew he usually left his home very early for work, she would try to work shifts when she had to leave at almost the same time as Xiang Zhe when he left in the morning, or when he returned in the evening. She would usually stand near his car, to wait for a taxi, hoping he would offer her a lift. When that didn’t work out according to her plan, she tried to get Xiang Zhe’s assistance on a few occasions about fused bulbs. After her first two attempts at seduction, Xiang Zhe avoided her like the plague.

The way Xu Ying Mei was looking at Xiang Zhe at that wine bar, Shan Mei by a woman’s intuition knew that Miss Xu didn’t consider herself merely a neighbour of Xiang Zhe’s. She wanted to read more into the relationship. Shan Mei felt goose pimples breaking out on her arms when she simply absorbed in Xu Ying Mei’s hard stare at Xiang Zhe.

When the two girls invited them to sit at their table, Xiang Zhe easily agreed. He ordered 2 glasses of peach champagne cocktails for Shan Mei and himself.

When Xu Ying Mei asked why they were checking out Notting Hill, he replied it was a beautiful residential area. “Darling, do you think you’ll like living here?” he suddenly turned to Shan Mei and asked her, who simply gave him one of her dazzling smiles, but said nothing.

Throughout, Xu Ying Mei ignored Shan Mei, even though the other two girls tried to include her in the conversations. Xiang Zhe noticed this, and was boiling mad inside at the condescending way this Xu Ying Mei referred to Shan Mei trying to hint at girls with shady characters and money-grabbing schemes.

The two airline girls put in their two cents worth when they confirmed, “Yes, Ying Mei has made a valid point. Especially the girls working in the airlines – many of them are exactly that type. They try to sleep around with the passengers from the First or Business Class, hoping for monetary gain. Luckily for us two, no one can accuse us of being such money-grabbing wenches, because both of us are engaged to be married to our childhood sweethearts. Not like some of the girls in our batch – breaking their bank accounts just to live in expensive apartments they can hardly afford, trying to catch a rich guy.”

Xu Ying Mei gave them hard looks at their innuendo.

After Xiang Zhe decided that they had rested enough; he suggested to Shan Mei that they should get going.

As soon as the couple left, the two airline girls looked at Xu Ying Mei and sniggered again. One of the girls baited, “I thought you said that handsome Mr. Yin was interested in you? But he just told us he and Miss Zhen had been dating two years. If I remember correctly, you moved into your present apartment only half a year?”

Xu Ying Mei huffed at them, cursing at that inconspicuous looking Zhen Shan Mei, wondering what a dynamic man like Yin Xiang Zhe saw in that mouse. “No personality at all. Did you notice how quiet she was when she noticed me? I bet she knew that Yin Xiang Zhe was interested in me.”

“No, we don’t think that was the case. We thought she looked beautiful and a real classy lady. You know, real class, not some pretentious put-on act from some people we know? We think she was too well-bred to cut you down.”

After they were a few streets away from the wine bar, Shan Mei admonished Xiang Zhe, “How could you mislead Miss Xu with your talk?”

Shan Mei had found the situation amusing. Miss Xu was angry with her two friends, they were not backing her up, instead, were trying to rile her. Whatever private illusions Miss Xu was harbouring about Yin Xiang Zhe, she didn’t expect to bump into Xiang Zhe with his girlfriend in London. No one knew he had a girlfriend; all the gossip magazines had stated he was one of the most eligible bachelors in Seoul.

“I have only made some innocent statements. It’s up to her to draw her own conclusions,” Xiang Zhe replied, trying to defend himself.

“Please do not involve me in your play acting the next time you meet up with your girl friends.” As Shan Mei made that comment, her glance slid away from him, her look telling him she wanted no part in his mischief.

“Shan Mei, you don’t understand. I needed rescuing from her. The two times she asked for help for her fused bulbs, it was 2 a.m. in the morning, and she came to my door in her most revealing nightdress. Why would anyone want to have a fused bulb replaced at 2 a.m. in the morning? She could have waited till the morning, or if she needed reading light, she could have gone to another lighted up area in her apartment. Then, she tried to detain me claiming she couldn’t sleep and needed a drink, would I share one with her. I wanted to put an end to her seduction games. I’m always afraid of such women. Of course, when chance sent me such a golden opportunity like scouting around Notting Hill with Zhen Shan Mei, I simply couldn’t waste it, could I, my darling?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with laughter and mischief.

Shan Mei ignored him and continued walking away from him. Xiang Zhe ran after her. “Angry and jealous, now that you find I’ve a girlfriend tucked away somewhere?” Shan Mei gave him an angry look, but a trace of a smile was breaking out on her face.

The next morning at the airport, Xiang Zhe phoned Zian Da telling him to buy four bottles of Beaujolais, two for Shan Mei and two for himself because the bottles they had bought, they had left with Shan Mei’s family in London.

Yong Xi, on hearing that, laughed softly and nudged Zian Da in his ribs. “If Zhen Senior allowed Xiang Zhe to remain the entire three days in their granny flat, it can only mean one thing – he must have liked Xiang Zhe.”

Zian Da eagerly asked Yong Xi, “Does that mean Xiang Zhe has a good chance in courting Shan Mei?”

Yong Xi nodded her head vigorously. “That bore has the best chance ever. Shan Mei is currently unattached. I know her family only wants the best for her so they have told her many years ago that they would not interfere with her choice for husband, when families came knocking on their doors wanting to propose marriage for the Zhen Princess. The very fact that she was the one who suggested he stay at their place, already showed she was not averse to his presence. He should follow his heart’s desire, quickly. Because Xiang Zhe is your best friend, I promise to give 100% of my support.”

Zian Da was pleased with this information.

Chapter 5

Since Shan Mei’s return from London, she had been deluged with work and more work, supervising their clients’ year-end company accounts. Her three accountants were alright but not as bright as Shan Mei would like them to be. Sometimes midway through her work, she wondered whether it was wise to plunge herself into a new business venture with Yong Xi, a business she knew nothing about.

Yong Xi had been pestering her for some time to sit down and have a proper meeting after she had shown her the photographs she took in London. Seeing the excitement on Yong Xi’s face when she flipped through the photographs, Shan Mei’s fears were somewhat allied.

So finally she waited until one Sunday afternoon when most of her workload was completed and Sung Seung Won was free too for a friendly get-together brain-storming session in her house, when she invited Yong Xi to her place for a meal.

Yong Xi brought Zian Da along and with Seung Won in the living room, they began sparring ideas, while Shan Mei was in the kitchen preparing food for the shabu-shabu dinner she had planned for that evening. She could hear the excited chatter of the three, some of the ideas coming from them sounded revolutionary!

Zian Da suddenly became inspired and wanted another person’s opinion. He fished out his hand phone and called Xiang Zhe. “Brother, it’s me. Doing anything important this minute?”

“On my way home after a baseball game! I need a bath really bad. Anything interesting happening with our group?”

“I’m at Shan Mei’s house with Yong Xi and Seung Won. She’s going to give us a special dinner treat. Hurry over.”

“How can I just come when she didn’t invite me?”

“Don’t give me that crap, you rascal! You invited yourself to London, didn’t you? If you don’t come, it’s your loss. Seung Won is here and Shan Mei has been praising him all afternoon for the ideas he has input into their wine bar design. In fact, he had his younger brother drop in at the latest club in New York and he has all the photos in his laptop. Even Yong Xi said she would customize some of the ideas to suit their new place.”

When Xiang Zhe heard that, he pressed his foot recklessly on the accelerator pedal of his car and shouted down the phone at Zian Da, “Give me 15 minutes, buddy. I’m going to break all speed limits.”

Six p.m. on any working day. Mellow Out, the wine bar jointly owned by Shan Mei and Yong Xi was always full with office workers coming in to relax, drink off their stress, or simply lounge around, in the mood to mellow out with the beautiful crowds usually found there most evenings. The crowd usually started to gather from 5, and then thinned out by midnight during working days. During the weekends, it was standing room only.

This was the new ‘in’ place for the young professionals and arty types, the place to see and the place to be seen. Yong Xi was there most evenings at 5, while Shan Mei came in most evenings around 10, to check on stock and the evening’s receipts. Yong Xi didn’t hold a regular job, although her name card showed ‘Interior Designer’. Her father owned a fleet of taxis that was doing fantastic business. Yong Xi held a directorship in this Taxi company. She received an income from her post. She never liked being tied down to a regular 9 to 5 job, so she free-lanced. Owning this wine bar made good sense to her, because she usually hung out at some bar most evenings, to meet up with her friends. She decided to go into partnership with Shan Mei because of her reliability, honesty and her brilliance with figures. More importantly, the timing was right. Many of the city’s young professional with high disposal incomes and a modern-day lifestyle, wanted some place safe to meet and hang out in the evenings, some place tastefully decorated with the right ambience, and not too rowdy. Most of Yong Xi’s friends were airheads.

Shan Mei didn’t drink. She was always buried in her work, and seldom went to bars. But, her clients always invited her for drinks, after a job well done. And, she realised, her clients, many of them foreigners liked to spend the evenings after meals, in a nice, cosy bar where they could relax, talk with and meet interesting local people. Her mother, when she died, had left Shan Mei with some money that was more than enough as her share of the start up capital needed. She and Yong Xi complemented each other very well, Shan Mei in charge of the backroom operation, while Yong Xi was in her element out in the front.

The bar was opened already 6 months, when Shan Mei suggested to Yong Xi, maybe they should test the market with Australian wines. “I have been following the developments of a few new wineries in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. The reviews from independent critics have been good, the prices of the wine very competitive. Maybe you can fly down to visit the 5 wineries that I have identified.”

One look at Miss Hard Working, Yong Xi felt she needed to push her a bit. “No. You go this time since you’ve been following their stories. I’ve accepted an ID project that will take me at least 5 months to complete. Better go within the next two weeks to ensure you get your foot in there first.”

So, a few days later, it was with trepidation that Shan Mei decided to take the big leap and stepped out on her own. Yes, she had by now acquired quite a bit of knowledge about wine, the grape varieties and the grading. But all her knowledge was from books, nothing practical! She steeled her resolve and straightened her back as she waited for Yong Xi at the front of her house. She had insisted on sending Shan Mei to the airport, afraid she would get cold feet the last minute and cancel the trip.

When Yong Xi dropped Shan Mei off at the airport, who but Yin Xiang Zhe was waiting for them at the front entrance to the International Section, with his luggage trolley. Shan Mei was surprised when Xiang Zhe approached Yong Xi’s car, flashed them a broad grin, and collected Shan Mei’s bag.

“Good morning and thank you Xiang Zhe for volunteering to help me look after Shan Mei. You better make sure she doesn’t forget her meals. She tends to do that when she becomes too engrossed in her work.”

After giving Yong Xi a nod and a reassuring smile, he waved her off, and then pushed the trolley through, as the automatic glass door slid open. He gave Shan Mei an indulgent smile, and then asked for her passport and air ticket for check in. “Hey, why look so glum. Not happy to see me?” Xiang Zhe teased her in his usual soft voice.

“Don’t you have a job to do?” Shan Mei asked him back, her brows knitted into frowns and her eyes had a fretful glint.

“I’m like Yong Xi, a free-lancer. The city is very quiet and peaceful for now, so we lawyers are out of jobs. This is a good time to take a short break. When Yong Xi mentioned to Zian Da that you were visiting Australia, how could I ignore such a sweet travelling companion?”

Shan Mei smirked in frustration, as it dawned on her what Yong Xi and Zian Da were trying to do.

They boarded a flight for Adelaide. It so happened on this flight, Miss Xu Ying Mei was one of the flight stewardesses on duty in their section.

When she caught sight of Shan Mei, she didn’t recognise her at first. This time Shan Mei was dressed in a smart pants suit and her hair neatly caught up in an elegant French twist, her make-up carefully applied very lightly, not like that time in London, when she had no make up on, and her long hair was blowing all around her face. Xiang Zhe was dressed casual smart, and the pair of them looked beautifully and perfectly matched. As usual, Xiang Zhe was very attentive to Shan Mei.

Throughout the flight, Xu Ying Mei hovered around Xiang Zhe. He was getting fed-up. He wanted to catch some sleep, but had an uneasy feeling that someone was staring at him with piercing eyes. He didn’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to guess who that was. So he spent his time trying to coax Shan Mei to sleep, and made a mental note never to fly by Korean Airlines again. Maybe it would be better to sell his apartment and go buy a place nearer to Shan Mei. Yes, he would do just that, killing 2 birds with one stone – getting rid of that schemer once and for all; and getting to live near by to Shan Mei so he can join her for meals most evenings. Once his mind settled down, he put his arm around Shan Mei so she could get his warmth. Shan Mei quickly fell asleep. Xiang Zhe’s familiar cologne assailed her nose. She had grown accustomed to his scent that pervaded his car whenever he sent her home. She felt safe, she felt relaxed, and she felt a taste of sweetness in her dry mouth.

After Barossa Valley in Adelaide, they drove over to Hunter Valley in New South Wales. The next morning they drove down to Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Every where they went, Xiang Zhe noticed the big, beautiful roses that looked so velvety. He must remember to ask them to send some rose plants to Seoul, if Mellow Out ever ordered wine from any one of these wineries. At these wineries, Xiang Zhe was introduced as Legal Advisor to Mellow Out. They were back in Seoul after a whirlwind 4-day trip.

On the return flight, Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei discussed the various wines they had sampled. Xiang Zhe was the expert, so he volunteered to be responsible for the initial import this time. He would make the selection then send the order(s) out.

“Xiang Zhe, if the qualities of the wines are almost similar, we want to go with the winery that has promised us the best deal. This is a long-term commitment; we don’t want to work with the winery that can only see short term gains.”

Xiang Zhe gave Shan Mei a searching look. She was fair in her dealings, so she demanded to be treated just as fairly too. She had good business acumen. Yong Xi was not stupid, Xiang Zhe ruminated. She sought the best partner, same like this Sung Seung Won, identifying Shan Mei as a solid person.

[“Shan Mei, what about me? I too identified you as any man’s best life partner, my soul mate, and my love. Will you give me a fair chance to put my case forward?”] Xiang Zhe thought to himself and chided himself for being so cowardly, that he didn’t even dare state his intentions, afraid he might lose Shan Mei’s friendship if she couldn’t accept him.

Many nights at Mellow Out, Xiang Zhe had watched Sung Seung Won carefully. He came every night with many friends. He didn’t seem to be interested in any of the beautiful girls there. Sung was always aware of Shan Mei and wanted to know whether she needed a lift home. When she said she needed to stay for some task, and Yong Xi might be back to take her home, he would then leave by himself, asking her to phone him if she needed a lift home. He didn’t want her to take a taxi by herself. Shan Mei laughed, reminding him if Yong Xi couldn’t come personally, she would send a taxi from her fleet.

Many nights she would nag Seung Won about the lateness of the hour, reminding him, “Go home and go to sleep. Remember, you’re the one who has to be at the office early, since I’m now coming in late. Okay?”

Usually, if she was not in the stock room, she would see him off at the entrance. When that happens, Seung Won would give her a tender peck on her cheek. Every time Xiang Zhe saw Sung Seung Won holding Shan Mei lightly in his arms and giving her that tender peck, he wanted to rush up to them, and pull them apart. He wanted to know how they could be doing that, when she knew Sung Seung Won had a partner, and this information came from her very own mouth.

On this night, he couldn’t tolerate it anymore. He decided tonight, if she let him send her home, he too would give her a tender peck on her cheek, and see how she would react. Yes, that was it! He hung around the place until closing time, wondering why Shan Mei was leaving so late. Did she find some stock missing?

Chapter 6

Shan Mei was checking out the inventory in the stock room, and was pleasantly surprised all the Australian wines they had ordered, 20 crates from Barossa, 20 crates from Mornington, were sold out. Tonight, many customers were asking for wine from the Mornington winery, and it was not even 2 weeks. Maybe, she should return to Adelaide and Victoria again, to taste their other wines. Last time, Xiang Zhe ordered only the Blanc on Blanc and Red Shiraz.

Also, their introduction of National Day wine promotions from France and Spain were highly popular. Long after the French and Spain National Day celebrations were over, customers were still asking for their wines. A quick check through the accounts showed that wine sales for the past 3 months had far surpassed their projection. Shan Mei should be happy but she was not – she realized that Mellow Out would soon need to acquire more space, but how? She was reluctant to move to larger premises. The present location of their wine bar was ideal, one of its prime reasons for its phenomenal success. She would need to talk to Yong Xi about this issue soon.

When she popped her head out from the backroom to see how the crowd was holding, she saw Xiang Zhe hanging out quietly by himself at one end of the long bar counter, nursing a glass of red wine. Most probably, he wanted to give her a lift home. She didn’t want to keep him waiting any longer, now that her tasks were completed. “What is bothering him, he doesn’t look too happy?” she asked herself. She went back to her office, and called him on his mobile phone. “It’s me. Have you been waiting for me?”

Xiang Zhe suddenly became alert, and answered tersely, “Only now you notice me? I’ve been waiting for you all my life.”

“Please be serious. If you are waiting for me, I just want to let you know that I’m ready to leave now.”

“I’ll go and get my car. Wait for you at the usual place, in 5 minutes.”

In the car, Shan Mei was telling Xiang Zhe about the fantastic response to the Australian wines, especially that Platinum Shiraz from Barossa. “Maybe of the reasonable price for such quality wine, all bottles have been sold. Can you let me have your notes from your wine tasting on the previous trip? I’m thinking of flying down one of these days, to try out some of their other wines. We need to order more.”

Xiang Zhe’s mind was not digesting what Shan Mei was telling him. He was wondering how best to approach her with his kiss. Right smack on her mouth, on her left cheek, or on her right cheek? And how should he kiss her, lightly and slowly, or hard and swift before she pushed him away? Before he could decide, they already reached her house. When he got out of his car, before he could walk over to her side to put his ‘plan’ to action, she invited him into the house.

She had noticed he was sitting in his quiet corner all night at the bar counter looking glum. “Do you want to share my supper?” she asked invitingly. Maybe, he would tell her what was bothering him? Did something happen at work?

Xiang Zhe’s face broke out in wide grins and boyish eagerness. It was more than what he had expected, getting to enjoy Shan Mei’s special cooking. He didn’t understand the logic, but anything that was prepared by Shan Mei somehow tasted different and gave him a satisfying fullness.

At the dining table, in response to Shan Mei’s questions, he told her everything was alright at work. “So, what’s bothering you?”

He continued eating and did not say anything. Seeing he was silent, Shan Mei didn’t want to probe further. If he wanted her to know he would let her know. But she felt it was so unfair to him. Every time she needed assistance, he would be there for her, no matter what. Now, she wanted to help him unburden a bit, he wanted to play the strong, silent type. Let him!

Xiang Zhe had almost finished his meal. He was sitting there at the dining table getting silently angry with Shan Mei. Why didn’t she insist he to tell her? Normally she was very insistent. Now, he had lost his chance to pour everything out to her. He walked over to the sofa, waiting for coffee.

He tried to play for time. He apologised to Shan Mei for his dark mood. All night he had been beset by a splitting headache.

“Is it because you’re drinking too much wine?” Shan Mei at once sounded concerned.

“No, I’m used to drinking red wine, a few glasses with dinner, and then a glass before bedtime.”

Shan Mei placed her hand over his forehead to check for fever. His temperature was normal. She wanted to go to the fridge, to get him some aspirin. “The aspirins are not to be taken now, but at home when you are ready for bed. And remember, no more wine tonight.”

He didn’t know what got into him, maybe it was the tenderness in her voice and the gentleness of her touch; he pulled her back, and onto to the couch next to him, not letting her go to the fridge.

Holding her in his arms, he buried his face into her hair, and murmured hoarsely, “Shan Mei, it isn’t the wine. It’s this…” He then bent his head, placed his lips on her mouth, and began caressing her lips. He wanted her lips, not her cheeks. Shan Mei was too surprised to protest. When she realised what was happening, she pushed him gently away. He looked at her with dejected eyes. “Why?” he cried out to her. “When he holds you and kisses you, you don’t push him away?”

“Who and what are you talking about?” She was nonplussed and her voice sounded irritated.

“That Sung fellow! I’ve watched the two of you. Every night he’s at the bar. He stays until you tell him to go. Before he goes, he holds you in his arms and you accept his kisses. Yet, you tell me there is nothing between you two; he already has a partner. What is all this nonsense you are feeding me?”

Shan Mei regained her composure and patted her hair back into place as she looked Xiang She in the face. “His kisses are different. I’m his sister, he’s my brother. While your kisses ….” Shan Mei ran a finger over her lips, “a minute ago are anything but brotherly or sisterly…”

Xiang Zhe let off an exasperated sigh, and ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m a man hopelessly in love with you. How can my kisses be brotherly? That’s the last thing I want you to think and to feel. I’m a man with passion. I want the girl I love to feel my passion, my love… Shan Mei, I…?”

Xiang Zhe looked at Shan Mei who was sitting there, looking confused, not knowing what to do…. He should addle her mind some more. Right?

“Shan Mei, can….can you accept me? Can you love me, the way a woman loves a man? I am not going to accept this brother, sister nonsense. If Sung Seung Won is honest with himself that he’s treating you like a sister, I’m happy with that, but please let me love you as a man.” He took hold of both her hands and looked intently at her.

Gently trying to ease her hands out of Xiang Zhe’s hold, Shan Mei murmured, “Erh…., Xiang Zhe, please understand. All this is happening too fast and sudden. I can’t decide now. Right now, I’m concentrating on my trip to Australia.”

“Australia? When are you going? Why do you have to go again? Why didn’t you say anything to me about the trip?”

Shan Mei looked at him with astonished big round eyes. “I told you everything in the car on the drive here. Apparently, you chose to ignore my talk as mere babbling, right?”

“No, no, Shan Mei. I was too preoccupied thinking of that Sung fellow. Okay, I get it now. You need to fly down to Australia. For…?”

“The Australian wines we ordered have all sold out. I asked for the notes you made last time you tasted the wines from the Barossa and Mornington wineries. I want to go down to taste their other wines. We should order more this time. Did you get all the facts into your head this time?” Shan Mei asked him gently and smiled at him sweetly.

Xiang Zhe looked sheepish, and gave Shan Mei an embarrassed smile. “When do you want to fly down?”

“Day after tomorrow. I’ve to let Seung Won and Yong Xi know before I leave.”

“Okay. One final question. Can I go with you?”

“What for? Don’t you have a job to do?”

“I want to keep you company. I don’t trust you on your own. You know you can’t hold your alcohol and yet you’re going wine tasting.” On hearing the irony of his statement, Shan Mei laughed so hard she collapsed into his arms. He took the opportunity to circle his arms around her, and enfolded her there, a feeling of euphoria enveloped him, and he quickly brushed his lips against hers.

“Shan Mei, I love you….no matter how busy you are, don’t ever forget you’re always on my mind and in my heart. If I don’t get to go with you, I’ll miss you so much. And when I recall how those men were looking at you the last time we were in Adelaide, I cannot let you go by yourself. I’ll go mad, with all kinds of crazy thoughts going through my mind. Then I will end up with another massive headache like tonight. What do you say, Shan Mei?”

“I’d say I’m surprised. If you really want to come along to Adelaide and Mornington, I’ve got to warn you. This will be a longer trip, not the hectic 4 days we rushed through last month. I have to spend 2-3 extra days in Melbourne to meet up with a client. Can you spare the time? It’s not right of me to take you away from your work.”

“Don’t worry Shan Mei. Even if you need to go for 2 weeks, I will make time for you. You’re more important than anything right now on my agenda.”

Shan Mei smiled softly when she heard that. She wondered how he spent his time in his office, if he was able to take off at a moment’s notice, to gallivant around the world.

That night, Xiang Zhe slept very well, remembering Shan Mei’s soft, sweet lips under his. He told himself he would wait patiently for her ‘yes.’ Of course it could only be ‘yes’, what else could it be? He didn’t expect her to say ‘yes’ right away. She was a girl, she’d play for time, then when he asked again, maybe in another 2 weeks, she would accept him. Wasn’t that the way Zian Da told him had happened between Yong Xi and himself.

Shan Mei did not outright tell him ‘no’, so it was a good sign. Yes, he would wait patiently. Maybe if he played his cards right, he would get his answer during their forthcoming Australian trip.

Already, he was simply waiting for the right opportunity, to deliver his roses to her. When the Barossa winery air-freighted the crates of wine two weeks ago to Seoul, they also included in the air shipment 2 bushes of the best strain of Old roses. After claiming from the Agriculture & Fishery Department, he immediately had the bushes planted in big pots. They were now growing very well in the garden of his new house.

Chapter 7

Shan Mei and Xiang Zhe finished their business very quickly and easily in Adelaide and Mornington. Because Shan Mei had to meet up with a potential client in Melbourne in the morning, they drove back to Melbourne in the evening, planning to spend two nights in the city.

Xiang Zhe was tired and he woke up late the next morning. First thing he did was placed a call to Zian Da for latest updates in Seoul. Zian Da was not only his senior at college, but also his best buddy, and in the same profession. Zian Da was a junior partner with the law firm he worked in.

“Good morning, it’s me. How are things in Seoul?”

Zian Da laughed wickedly when he answered, “You mean how things are at Mellow Out? Your ‘rival’ is there every night, bringing many friends with him. He usually orders a bottle of wine, sits around for half an hour, then goes off. Last night, he brought his younger brother along. Apparently, the brother just returned from New York for 2 week vacation. Wait for this, the juiciest part. He told his brother his girlfriend is one of the partners of Mellow Out.”

“What??? Did you hear correctly?” Xiang Zhe couldn’t hide his perplexity.

“What do you mean did I hear correctly? Yong Xi was there too and he introduced her to this gorgeous looking man saying, ‘Yong Xi, this is my younger brother Seung Hoon.’ When his brother wanted to meet his girlfriend, Seung Won simply laughed and told him he had met her once when he came to the accounting firm. That’s all I’ve to report. What about things at your end?”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Xiang Zhe retorted harshly. He had lost his spirit, and no longer interested in what Zian Da was asking him.

Dispirited, he answered plainly, “Shan Mei has gone to meet a potential client. I think I’ll go for some food down in the coffee shop. We’ll be flying back tomorrow. I knew it was too good to be true, a girl like her still unattached. Got to go.” Then he hung up the phone abruptly.

He sat back down on the bed and began rubbing at the anxious frowns that had surfaced on his forehead. A nagging pain seemed to be tugging at his heart too. He began asking himself – what game was this Shan Mei playing with him? She thought he was a fool? An utterly besotted fool? Telling him Sung Seung Won had a partner and she was the one who introduced the partner to him, when all along it was she! He pushed himself off the bed, too confused and tired to think anymore.

“I knew it yet she had the gall to deny it!” he hissed through clenched teeth, as he was dressing himself, angry at himself for having exposed his vulnerability in front of her.

Okay, when they were back to Seoul, he would play his own ‘brothers and sisters’ game with her. She would then understand what it felt like to be the idiot at the other receiving end of this foolery.

He laughed emptily as he was lacing his sneakers. Where was he going to find ‘sisters’? He never felt comfortable around girls; he found them too pretentious around him, so he never bothered keeping the proverbial ‘little black book’. Whenever they went out in a group, the girl sitting next to him would try to take control, ordering the drinks, ordering the food, and pretty soon, she would think she was his date. He tried to avoid these girls like the plague. His college mates tried to introduce girls to him, until he warned them if they brought any more girls to their weekend baseball games, he would boycott the games altogether. Hard as he tried, he could not explain why Shan Mei was the only one he wanted around him.

Alright, he decided – he wouldn’t dwell further on the matter until he had fed himself. He could never think properly whenever he was hungry.

Down at the hotel coffee shop, after a substantial brunch, he felt better. He was finishing off his third cup of coffee, when looking out through the large glass window nearest to him, he saw a red coloured Nissan 350Z speeding down the street, then smoothly came to a halt by the curbside of the hotel. The passenger door flung opened and to Xiang Zhe’s surprise, Shan Mei slowly stepped out of it.

Standing there by the car, she was a picture of elegance in her light blue jacket and matching pencil thin skirt and high heels. From the driver’s seat a good looking man emerged, holding on to a briefcase which Xiang Zhe recognized as Shan Mei’s, and walked towards her who was waiting on the pavement. The man handed the briefcase to Shan Mei, then very lovingly, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, after which he dipped his head to place his ear close to what she was telling him. He ruffled her hair, hugged her closer to him, and then planted a lingering kiss on her cheek.

Xiang Zhe was too stunned to think coherently. The scene looked too intimate for his liking. Somehow, he thought the man looked familiar. Where had he seen him before?

Still glued to his seat in the booth, he asked himself through a whiff of smoke as he drew a cigarette from his mouth, “Who is this Shan Mei?” Someone who could pull a good looking guy from her hat every time she wanted attention from one – like a magician pulling a rabbit from his top hat? She didn’t look like a player to him. She was always so shy; and easily embarrassed whenever things were discussed on a very personal or intimate level. It was hard to believe and accept that all this was a ploy on her part.

The first time he saw her at the Wine Master Class, he noticed she had the kind of presence and mystique that made people want to befriend her. During the 2-1/2 hour lesson, he had kept his eyes on her, and noticed that every time she took a sip of the wine from her glass for tasting, she would spit hers out into a little plastic bag she had with her. All the time, she was very attentive to what Miss Morcom was saying – sip; gurgle the wine around her mouth a bit; spit; after which she would diligently made notes. She never once bothered to look at or speak with anyone except her friend Yong Xi. Xiang Zhe was certain, when he had attended four classes, that she was definitely not interested in any of the men in that classroom, him included. Wine was the only thing on her mind.

After that first lesson, when he went off with Zian Da for some supper – imagine his elation when Zian Da confided to him that he knew by sight one of the two pretty girls. He and she were both members of the same gym.

As if in answer to a prayer, the girls soon happened to stop by the same food booth for their supper, and Zian Da managed to make their acquaintance. Later when Zian Da suggested he give Shan Mei a lift home, he was so grateful to Zian Da for his alertness. He was surprised with himself. What was the matter with him? Suddenly so eager to befriend this girl, who was not anxious to accept any favours from him. Didn’t she realise who he was? Of course, he realised she was not interested in any man, no matter what his credentials. Later on when he accompanied her around London, he realized she was not only sweet but natural and honest in behaviour and nature.

He drank the remaining the coffee from the cup, and stubbed out his half-finished cigarette. He heaved a big sigh and he rubbed his face, as if to wipe away the remnants of worry and looked out the glass pane again.

He could still see them together standing outside the hotel talking. He was gripped with jealousy, but he knew it was futile. If he asked her, she would surely tell him that pretty boy was one of her brothers. What a convenient way to brush off his questions. Then he noticed the pretty boy getting into the car and driving off, and Shan Mei was making her way towards the hotel main entrance.

Xiang Zhe quickly left his table in the coffee shop and made his way to the lobby. As Shan Mei walked into the hotel’s main lobby, she saw him, and gave him a dazzling smile, full of sweetness. He went weak in his knees and cursed himself for his suspicious mind.

“Shan Mei, you look tired. Do you want a coffee or a cooler?” He then took the briefcase from her.

“Yes, that’s a good idea. Whew, it was very hot outside,” she agreed as she fanned herself with a hand. Looking at Xiang Zhe, she asked gently, “Taken your breakfast already? I didn’t want to wake you this morning before I went off. You were sleeping so soundly.”

Xiang Zhe smiled at her guiltily as he led her to his table in the coffee shop. “I woke up late this morning. By the time I came down, only brunch was served. How did your meeting go?”

“Very good,” she answered happily and immediately sipped at her peach cooler when the drink arrived. He was waiting to hear more.

“The client I went to see this morning is a large public company. They want monthly internal audit on one of their subsidiaries. Lots of cash pass through this subsidiary, and they suspect some one may be siphoning company assets. They don’t want a local accounting firm to do the audit, because the information may leak out. We’ll have someone spend a week out of every month in Melbourne, to handle the internal auditing.”

Xiang Zhe was both elated and down hearted when he heard that. Elated – because maybe he could accompany her sometimes to Melbourne. Down- hearted and jealous, because she would now be able to spend at least a week out of every month with the pretty boy. His heart was breaking apart, but he put on a brave front, uttering words he didn’t mean at all.

“That will be good. Whenever you’re in Melbourne, you can visit the winery in Mornington.” Xiang Zhe tried to sound helpful and casual.

“I don’t want to come. I’ll let Seung Won handle this project.” Xiang Zhe became confused. What was on this little girl’s mind – sending out different signals all the time. He had expected all kinds of answers but not this one.

“And who was the pretty boy who sent you back? His car was quite swish.”

“Oh, that’s Peter Kim, one of my brothers. He’s one of the contracted suppliers to the local government tourist department. He has a small factory in Seoul making soft toys and gift items. He’s in Seoul a few days out of every month, to check on quality and the progress of his orders.”

“And you, of course, must be his FAVOURITE sister? That’s why he simply couldn’t keep his hands and lips away from you?” he said teasingly, although he was feeling anything but. He cursed himself for being such a fraud.

Shan Mei had great difficulty suppressing her laughter. “What are you talking about? We are brother and sister, not what you’re thinking.”

“Yes, I understand. I understand perfectly how this brother/sister game is being played.” His lips compressed into a thin, hard line. God, how he loved her! Oh, she made him mad as hell at times, and yet she could make him feel emotions that no other woman had ever been able to.

After a light lunch, Shan Mei decided to go shop around the city precinct. Xiang Zhe only kept quiet and looked sullen when he said he preferred to stay in his room to rest.

Shan Mei had just returned from shopping at David Jones, when she found that Xiang Zhe had not been out and was still in his room

After she put her shopping away, she knocked at the connecting door between their rooms. No answer, so she opened the door and quietly walked in. To her surprise Xiang Zhe was not asleep, but was sitting up in his bed, arms folded across his chest, sulking. She became worried. “Are you not feeling well again? I thought of having dinner at 8. It’s already 6 now.” Xiang Zhe only looked at her, but gave no answer.

“If you’re not feeling well, we’ll order room service, okay? Well?” Shan Mei prompted with concern in her voice, looking at him for some response.

His mind had been busy working overdrive since this afternoon and Shan Mei felt his gaze boring into her, for what reason she couldn’t fathom. He had worked it out for himself – if the brothers were getting special favours and treatment from her, then he wanted to be her brother too.

“I want to be your brother!” he exclaimed suddenly.

Shan Mei stared at him closely through squinted eyes, thinking she had heard wrong. In the end she smiled secretly to herself. So the big man himself was throwing a tantrum, like a little boy! She understood because she had seen Brother Youzhen doing it all the time during their growing up years.

“Are you sure?” she asked gently. With arms still firmly folded across his chest, Xiang Zhe nodded his head.

“You won’t regret?” Shan Mei asked again. He shook his head.

Shan Mei sat down at the far end of his big bed and began very softly and hesitantly, her index finger drawing circles nervously and slowly on the bed cover. “I’m so disappointed. Today is exactly one year you began my wine adventure with me. Last year we were in Paris, and today, we’re in Melbourne, next year I don’t know where we’ll be. You’ve been so lovingly supporting me from behind, with your advice and your assistance, and sending out emails to everyone on your list, helping with promotions, never once complaining about anything. I was going to treat you to a romantic dinner tonight, then to let you know I can never accept anyone but you as my boyfriend.” She then stood up and clapped her hands together. “Now good! Save myself a costly dinner, because brothers never get dinner treats from me, and I’ll have to start looking for a new boyfriend.” With that, Shan Mei swiveled around and went back to her room through the connecting door, hiding a secret smile.

When Xiang Zhe saw her disappear and the door closed shut behind her, his head snapped up at her words as they finally sunk into his head. He leapt out of bed and ran after her. He banged loudly at the door a couple of times. When he didn’t get an invitation to enter, he threw caution to the wind and barged in, asking unbelievingly, “What did you just say? Is it true? What about Seung Won and Peter Kim?” When he saw Shan Mei standing near her dresser, he strode forward and pulled her into his arms. His hands were unsteady as they cupped her cheeks and tilted her head so he could look down into her large, limpid eyes.

“Am I your boyfriend?” Not waiting for her reaffirmation, he continued, “Now that you’ve accepted me, be warned that I won’t ever let you go, even if I’ve to keep you shackled to my side by force.” He was about to plant a kiss on her lips, when a thought suddenly struck him. “Hey, wait a minute, are you telling those two guys the same thing, that you’re their girlfriend? Is this your standard pacifying line?” he asked, recalling the scene he espied earlier in the day from the coffee shop window.

“Yin Xiang Zhe, you watch your offensive mouth. I’m not talking with you again.” With that she flounced off to the bathroom and locked the door after her.

Xiang Zhe realised he had gone too far with his stupid remark. He rapped the bathroom door softly. “Shan Mei, Shan Mei, I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I love you so much, I’m worried you were only teasing me.” He heard the shower water running. He walked back to his room, totally dejected and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He really looked pathetic!

In this state, how could he expect Shan Mei to accept him? He twitched up the corners of his mouth; he would make himself look just as handsome and charming as those two devils, Sung Seung Won and Peter Kim

Chapter 8

At a quarter to eight, he knocked at the connecting door. “Are you ready for dinner?” No answer and no sound.

He pushed open the door, and there was Shan Mei standing by the window, looking like some ethereal angel, dressed in a soft aqua blue chiffon dress with tiny floral prints, the soft skirt swirling around her slim hips. In her high heels, her hair all soft and framing the delicate features of her face, she looked simply sensational. She had applied a deep pink lipstick to her luscious lips. Her normal lipstick colour was pastel pink. He wanted to grab her and kiss those luscious lips until they hurt. It took all his effort to keep his urge under control.

Shan Mei turned around. Her throat went dry. She never realised he looked so dashing. She never realized maybe she never looked upon him as a man. He had once asked of her, “Look at me as a man, love me like a woman”. She gave him a dazzling smile, hoping this smile would convey her sincerity and her love to him.

He came to her, pulled her lovingly into his arms and whispered ever so gently into her ear, “Shan Mei, I am sorry I behaved like a jealous fool earlier. And I take back all my words, especially the ones about wanting to be your brother. I want to be many things to you but being brother is definitely not one of them. I love you. Please don’t ever doubt it.”

He buried his face into her hair, inhaled her fragrance, and slowly moved his lips over her soft, tender neck to plant several kisses on her ear, the hollow behind her ear, moving to bite her lobe with little nips. He then took her face in his hands, a wonderful, gentle gesture, and smiled at her – a sensuous smile that quickened her pulse. He bent his head towards her and she closed her eyes defensively. He laughed softly, brushing his lips across each eyelid. “You can’t take back your word now,” he said. “It’s too late.”

Breathless moments later, Shan Mei drew back, too shy to meet his eyes. She didn’t want to tarry in the room. “Xiang Zhe, dinner…..?” she tried to remind him, her voice sounded trembling and barely audible.

Xiang Zhe understood. Taking her hand, he led the way out of the room, then down the lift to the 1st floor, to the Plum Blossom Restaurant where Shan Mei had made a dinner reservation.

Shan Mei looked so demure and alluring sitting at their table, letting Xiang Zhe do the ordering. Besides seafood prepared Chinese style, Xiang Zhe also ordered champagne and a long-stemmed red rose from the hotel’s florist. Throughout dinner, Xiang Zhe couldn’t take his eyes off Shan Mei. She became all flustered with embarrassment. Xiang Zhe loved seeing her confusion and her crimson face. Normally she looked so cool and composed in her business suits.

When they finished their dinner, Shan Mei told him Peter would be arriving soon at the hotel to collect them. He wanted to take them to the ‘most happening’ wine bar in Melbourne.

Tonight, Peter came in his Mercedes. He took them to Venetian Wine Bar in South Yarra. It was situated on the entire ground floor of a building on Toorak Road, and was fabulously laid out because of its large floor area. Venetian carried a large range of wines from all over the world. An area for coffee, an area for dancing and an area that looked like a small restaurant, the main focal point being the wine bar. Class oozed out of every nook and corner. Shan Mei and Xiang Zhe were impressed. If only Mellow Out had this kind of floor space, Shan Mei was confident Yong Xi could do wonders with the space. Now that they didn’t have the space, Shan Mei wouldn’t think about it, but if ever such a space ever become available, she would recommend to Yong Xi that they should take it.

Shan Mei had earlier introduced Xiang Zhe to Peter Kim as her boyfriend. He never felt so important in his life. When Peter invited Shan Mei out to the dance floor, Xiang Zhe had no qualms about it. After all, the music was some Latin beat, and he was hopeless when it came to dancing. As he sat by the bar counter watching them, it suddenly struck him that he had seen Peter a few times in Mellow Out. He always came in a group.

He remembered Shan Mei mentioning something about an ‘Australian Connection.’ Xiang Zhe laughed softly to himself. He was a hopeless case. He was sure in Seoul, there were many connections – Australian, American, English, European. He normally kept to himself, he never bothered with anything outside of baseball, his legal fraternity and his internet surfing. He avoided all company entertainment and left most of the PR duties to his elder brother, so what would be his connection?

Back in his hotel room, he was washing up in the bathroom, when Zian Da called and excitedly reported, “Hi buddy, you know what happened tonight? Your ‘rival’ came in to the bar this evening with about a dozen of his friends. He was in very high spirits. He opened at least 10 bottles of the best French Red. Not only that, they ate up all the oysters, all 6 dozen of them. No more oysters for tomorrow, and Yong Xi has been hopping mad ever since Sung Seung Won left half an hour ago.”

“Know what he was celebrating about?”

“He never said anything except telling Yong Xi he felt really good.”

Xiang Zhe was not interested in wanting to know further what Seung Won had been up to. In turn he told Zian Da to listen carefully, “Senior, you are now talking to the official boyfriend of Zhen Shan Mei,” and he couldn’t help laughing when he heard himself say ‘boyfriend’.

This feeling was so vastly different from that time when he heard Youzhen telling Shan Mei’s Pa that he was her boyfriend. This time it took on a totally different meaning because this time it was true!

“Are you sure? You’re telling the truth?”

“100%. Senior, go open a few bottles of the best Red and charge to my account. I too want to celebrate. Enjoy yourselves. I’m now going over to Shan Mei’s room to try and get a goodnight kiss from her.”

“You rascal. Make sure that’s all you take from her. And remember to keep your pants on.”

“What do you want me to do if Shan Mei insists that I take them off? A gentleman always obliges his lady.”

“Wishful thinking, my dear friend,” Zian Da chided, ending the call with big ha-ha-ha. But before he could disconnect the call, Xiang Zhe stopped him and asked,

“Ah Senior, I want you to do something for me tomorrow…….”

Knock, knock at the connecting door. “Shan Mei, are you asleep yet?”

“About to. It’s very late. What do you want?” came her sleepy reply.

“I want a good night kiss, otherwise I won’t feel like I’m truly your boyfriend.”

He went through the connecting door. Shan Mei was already in bed. She sat up and beckoned him over. She gave him a peck on his cheek.

Not satisfied at all, he began grumbling. “No way. You gave the same peck to Peter Kim. I’m your boyfriend, not your brother. I want something more substantial.”

Shan Mei suddenly became shy and embarrassed. She quickly gave him a swift kiss on his lips, and then slid back onto the bed to hide under the quilt, bidding him ‘goodnight’.

Instead of leaving, he sat down by the edge of the bed and pulled back the quilt. Shan Mei had huddled up and was hugging onto a pillow, trying to sleep.

“You don’t have to go all shy on me. Even if I’m a puppy, you don’t simply throw me a few crumbs, and then leave me by the curbside.”

Shan Mei sat up immediately and looked at him, befuddled. “Puppy? Few crumbs? I don’t understand what you’re trying to tell me.”

“I’m trying to tell you I want better treatment than what you’ve been giving that Peter Kim. For starters, how about letting go of that pillow and hugging onto me instead. Even a puppy gets an occasional hug.”

Smoothing her hair away from her forehead, she looked benignly at Xiang Zhe and shook her head in resignation. “You know something? I think I’ve made a big mistake today. I shouldn’t have said anything about my feelings for you. I can already envisage the many arguments surfacing over my brothers. Do you mind if I take back every word I’ve been fool enough to say earlier today about accepting you as my boyfriend? I’m tired. I want to sleep because we have a flight to catch tomorrow and I still have certain matters to settle with my new client tomorrow morning.”

“Shan Mei, I’m not asking for anything outrageous. I just want to hug you for 5 minutes! That’s all.”

She gazed unblinkingly at him wondering whether to believe him. Finally, she said, “And after that?”

Immediately his eyes lit up with a twinkle and his mouth curved up into a grin. “And after that, I’ll go to sleep like a good boy.”

Shan Mei released a tired laugh. Xiang Zhe caught the pillow that she had thrown at him. After that, he quickly slipped into the unoccupied side of her bed and pulled her into his arms. She didn’t say anything.

“Shan Mei, relax. You don’t have to be scared of me. I just want to hold you for a while.”

“I see. The 5 minutes have suddenly become ‘a while’.”

“Shan Mei, has Peter Kim ever been your boyfriend?”

“No, never. Ever since the first day I knew him, I’ve always considered him my brother.”

“What about Sung Seung Won?”

“Same with Seung Won.”

“Zian Da told me when Seung Won was in Mellow Out tonight, he was celebrating some happy occasion with his friends. He opened 10 bottles of the best French Red and walloped off 6 dozen oysters.”

“Is Zian Da your spy?”

“Not really. He was just curious. I mean Seung Won is a big spender but tonight it seemed there was no limit to his spending. Do you know why he is in such a happy mood?”

“Most probably because I managed to land such a big account today. Anyway, I think your 5 minutes are up.”

Xiang Zhe smiled satisfactorily to himself. He wanted to kiss her badly, but he would let her go for tonight. Today had been too big a day for her.

He went back to his room, leaving the connecting door open. No sooner had he fallen asleep, visions of beautiful Shan Mei soon invaded his mind. He smiled sweetly in his sleep, remembering her soft, sweet lips on his.

Chapter 9

“Hi, it’s me. Are you through with your work yet?” Xiang Zhe’s voice was so full of love and caring.

“I have to go through some more papers. Don’t wait for me. Go home to rest, okay?”

“How long more will you need?”

“About one hour or so.”

“I’ll buy dinner and bring it up to your office, okay? I was waiting to eat with you anyway.”

“Don’t wait for me. You must be hungry. I’ve some food at home in the slow cooker.”

“Can I share your dinner with you?”

“Of course you can, you silly goose, if you can wait.”

Of course he could wait – wait a lifetime, if he had to. If there was one thing he wouldn’t tire of, it was taking food prepared by Shan Mei.

“Can I come up to your office to keep you company?”

Within 3 minutes, he was up in her office. He had been waiting in his car at the front of the building. He told Shan Mei to go back to her work, and hurry up. He would keep himself amused.

He walked around the office quietly. He saw a framed photo on Sung Seung Won’s desk, the same framed photo also stood on Shan Mei’s desk. In the photo were Sung Seung Won, Peter Kim, Kim Youzhen and Shan Mei. When the photo was taken, Shan Mei looked about 15. She looked so cute and adorable with her big pair of mischievous eyes. So, their friendship went so far back, and so deep? No wonder they doted on her as their little sister.

At the entry to Shan Mei’s house, the 2 rose bushes one on either side of the porch, looked like sentinels guarding her house. Xiang Zhe had asked Zian Da to take the potted bushes from his garden and plant them next to the front door steps in Shan Mei’s garden, that time when Shan Mei told him she had accepted him. The next day when Xiang Zhe sent Shan Mei home from the airport, as soon as she saw the roses, she was so overwhelmed by his loving gesture, she fell into his arms, and wept. Xiang Zhe could only stand there, holding on to her, patting her back, asking her softly whether she liked the flowers. She nodded into his chest.

“Are you getting my message?” She gave another nod.

“Does that mean you love me the same way like I love you?” This time she not only nodded her head, her tears came down in buckets. She was thinking, “How could this man who has professed to Zian Da that he didn’t know how to love, or understand what love was, is now doing all the most romantic and loving things? How can she not love him with her whole heart? He has been so patient with her, so protective towards her, nothing was too troublesome for him where she is concerned.” After her sobbing ceased, she looked up into his face. She saw his soft, gentle eyes filled with so much love. She wasn’t aware, but her own big round eyes when she was looking back at him, also reflected the same emotions.

Xiang Zhe released his precious angel from his embrace when he heard her shy whisper, “Xiang Zhe, thank you for the roses.”

Xiang Zhe soon reached Shan Mei’s house. She looked tired, so he didn’t make conversation in the car. He let her rest. As he walked to the door with Shan Mei, she kissed him lightly and gave him a ‘thank you’ smile when she saw a few big half opened buds on the rose bushes. In the kitchen, after she had laid the food on the table, she went outside and cut the beautiful buds, placed them in the crystal vase that Xiang Zhe had bought for her. As Xiang Zhe scooped each spoonful of food into his mouth, honey was coating around his heart. How he wished he could carry her off home as his bride tonight and every day their lives would be filled with bliss and love and roses. But he had to be patient, he didn’t want to rush her.

A few days later, Shan Mei was bogged down with work in the office, when she received a call from Xiang Zhe.

“Hi, it’s me. I’ll be cooped up in the office all day with emergency meeting so won’t be able to see you tonight. Don’t stay too late in the office. I’ll call you when the meeting is over. Has Seung Won returned from Melbourne?”

“He returned this morning. I told him to take the day off, but knowing him, I guess he’ll be in after a good sleep. Don’t worry about me. Your office work is more important. Bye.”

“Erhmm, huh…eh...?” he coughed slightly into the line.

“You are too much!!!??? I miss you.” Shan Mei added sweetly.

“That’s better. I’m missing you already.”

Later that afternoon, Seung Won dropped by the office, bringing several boxes of food to share with Shan Mei. While eating, he also cleared up some paper work and filled Shan Mei in with what transpired in Melbourne. After a while, he glanced briefly at his wrist watch. How time flew! It was already 9 p.m. Seung Won stretched out in his chair. Looking at Shan Mei at her work station, he called out to her from his office, "How about stopping by Mellow Out? I’ve missed the place.” Shan Mei agreed since she hadn’t been down to the bar too these past few evenings.

Her hand phone buzzed, while she was in Seung Won’s car. It was Xiang Zhe. “Hi, it’s me. Have you had dinner?”

“Yes. What about you?”

“Having it now. Where are you?”

“In Seung Won’s car, on the way to Mellow Out.”

“Behave. Remember he’s only your brother. I’m the one who is your boyfriend.” Shan Mei giggled softly into the phone, her hand covering up the phone’s mouthpiece.

“My brother just suggested after dinner to stop by Mellow Out. The others agreed. Can you please reserve a table for us, 6 persons? My father is coming along too, otherwise I wouldn’t dare ask you for such a favour, knowing your no reservation policy.”

“What time, please?” Shan Mei sounding very business-like.

“In about half an hour.”

As soon as Shan Mei snapped shut the mobile phone, she had an attack of nerves. “Seung Won, what to do? His father is going to be at Mellow Out tonight in half an hour.”

“What’s the big deal? You’re better than anyone he’ll ever get to meet in his life time. Take it easy, little sis. Why don’t you call Yong Xi and ask her to set aside a table?”

“Yes, that’s right.” In her nervousness, she had forgotten about reserving a table as per Xiang Zhe’s request. Maybe she should ask Yong Xi to put aside 2 dozen oysters for them too. Xiang Zhe loved oysters. She would personally prepare the oysters for them. Slightly grilled oysters lightly garnished with finely chopped parsley and bacon bits. Last time she gave these to Xiang Zhe, he claimed the oysters simply melted in his mouth. No doubt about it, this man did have a glib tongue. How on earth could Yong Xi say he was dour and an utter bore?

Soon, Xiang Zhe’s party arrived. It was easy to tell which one was his elder brother. The man bore a strong resemblance to Xiang Zhe, and he kept eyeing Shan Mei with interest, until Xiang Zhe, with big grin on his face, nudged him in the arm.

When they were comfortably settled in and enjoying their wine, Xiang Zhe went to the back room in search of Shan Mei. He dragged her out to his table.

“Father, please meet my good friend Zhen Shan Mei.” Turning to Shan Mei who was now red in the face, he stated, “Shan Mei, this is my father, my elder brother Xiang Min. These are directors from our company, Mr. Jin, Mr. Park and Mr. Choi.” Shan Mei gave respectful bows all around.

“Uncle Zhen, I hope you enjoy the wine. Does any one of you have an allergy to oysters?” The men looked at each other. “Oysters? We love oysters.” Then laughed heartily among themselves as if sharing a private joke. Shan Mei then excused herself and returned to the back room.

Yin Senior looked at his younger son and commented, “Xiang Zhe, this Miss Zhen is indeed very charming. How long have you known her?”

“Father, almost 2 years.”

His father snorted a short laugh and gave him a searching look. “And if your elder brother didn’t suggest coming here tonight, how long more do you intend to hide her from me and your mother?”

“Father, sorry. But Shan Mei accepted me only a few months ago. I don’t want to put pressure on her. She has many suitors.”

“Many suitors? These men pursuing her so they can have free wine for the rest of their lives? How can my son lose to them? After all, owning a wine bar is almost similar to being a wine hostess.”

“Father, how can you say something so degrading? This type of business is very new to Seoul, but it is the new trend for the young set after their studies and travels abroad. This business needs very high business acumen, special knowledge of wine and accurate analysis, because the only thing they are selling is wine; not like a club or a pub where all sorts of alcoholic drinks are sold. You see the crowd coming here? All proper people. And this is just a side line for Shan Mei. By day, she runs an accounting firm with a partner. She’s a highly respected chartered accountant with qualifications from England. Her firm only handles accounting and auditing for foreign-owned companies based in Seoul.”

Chapter 10

Yin Senior’s ears were now alert and his interest was caught when he heard the words ‘chartered accountant from England’.

“Professionally recognised accounting degree? Why don’t you ask her professional advice about this deal we have been discussing all day, since Duristeel stipulated that we couldn’t bring in any of the international accounting firms to look over their accounts. It’s a big investment. Should we buy or should we pass, seeing the only attractive part of the deal is the land their new building is sitting on?”

Xiang Zhe smiled and nodded his head. He caught sight of Seung Won sitting with Zian Da, and decided to pull him into the conversation too.

“Ah, there’s Shan Mei’s partner. Let me get him over.”

Yin Senior looked over to where Xiang Zhe had pointed. The young man looked familiar. Yin Senior stopped Xiang Zhe with a hand.

“Wait a minute, isn’t he one of Brother Sung’s sons? He’s one of the men trying to woo Shan Mei? And he’s her business partner? Hmm….” Yin Senior didn’t look so confident now. No wonder Xiang Zhe was worried.

“Yes, Father, that’s him. And he has known Shan Mei since she was 15.”

At that precise moment, Seung Won happened to look over at Xiang Zhe’s direction just as he was preparing to get up and approach Seung Won. Xiang Zhe beckoned him over.

Seung Won had the manners of an English gentleman. “Good evening, Uncle Yin. So good to see you out, enjoying yourself. You’re very lucky tonight. Shan Mei is personally preparing her delicious oysters.”

Xiang Zhe explained to Seung Won a little bit of what happened at the meeting that day in Wen Rong’s office.

Seung Won didn’t want to appear unhelpful but what Xiang Zhe just told him was something he never liked handling. “Xiang Zhe, that’s Shan Mei’s department. Tell you what. Ask Shan Mei to go over their books. As Wen Rong’s lawyer, you can arrange for that. If they refuse, pass on. On the surface, we normally advise our clients not to buy whenever they are given short time frames to consider. Once Shan Mei gets to look at their books, she will be able to give you an approximate value of their worth. Shan Mei has given my father invaluable advice on several occasions.”

Then the men wanted Seung Won’s opinion on several recent take-over deals. Seung Won was cautious and reserved in his judgement. “I have been out of the country most of the time and didn’t follow the take-over bids closely. I have been busy over the past five months with our project in Melbourne, doing internal auditing in a subsidiary of the largest pensioners investment holding group in Melbourne. PPI are so happy with our work, they want us to carry out corporate governance for the entire group. Shan Mei will need to make the final decision because that is her specialty.”

Xiang Zhe felt anxious. “Does that mean she’ll be down there a few days of the month, every month?”

“That’ll most probably mean she’ll have to live there, PPI having more than 100 subsidiaries in the whole of Australia. I will not like it one bit, because I can’t work without Shan Mei. I’m so used to having her around.”

On hearing that, Father slanted Xiang Zhe a furtive glance from under his lashes.

“Seung Won, Xiang Zhe tells me that Shan Mei and you have known each other for a very long time.”

“When she was 12 and I was 18. I went to study in England even though I could hardly understand English. I spent the first 3 years studying English at a language school very close to their restaurant before I managed to get accepted by a college.

When I first arrived in London, I craved Korean food and home cooking so much, I ate every day at their restaurant. Shan Mei used to help out at the restaurant in the evenings. After about 4 weeks, one Saturday afternoon when I finished lunch, she took me aside and gave me some good advice. ‘Hey brother, this is no good. Eating here every day and spending so much money just on food. Tell you what. You pay the restaurant some money, then you eat every day at my home, as many as 3 meals a day. How about that?’

So, instead of spending at least 500,000 Won a month on meals, I only spend 50,000 Won. After that I was at her house every day, sometimes spending entire weekends there. Some years I didn’t even want to return to Seoul for the summer holidays but preferred to help out at their restaurant.

One day, she brought another Korean student who had just arrived from Australia to eat at her house under the same arrangement. From the first day of his arrival in London, he began complaining of the lousy English food, not at all like the great food in Melbourne where he came from. So, to avoid the English food, he chose to eat Korean. After his first meal at Bi Won, he was there almost every day. She took only A$100 from him and fed us all hours of the day. In a way, she was also my saviour. Many times I couldn’t understand the complicated English in the accounting books. With Shan Mei and the Australian Korean on hand to explain their meanings, I managed to sail through all my first year examinations without any problems. After a year eating in her home, I found a small place to rent near her house so we would study together in the afternoons. She is really the sweetest and most generous person. No man can find a better girl than her.”

Just then, a waitress brought over a bottle of Chablis, chilled to perfection to the Yin’s table. Shan Mei appeared with her oysters.

One slurp of the oyster from its shell, followed by one sip of the ice cold wine, Seung Won told Shan Mei, “Hey girl, I think you better start on your 2nd and 3rd batch. These taste so good, I can finish off a whole dozen. Be a good girl and go make me some more, okay?” He threw Shan Mei a beguiling look and a kiss.

Before returning to the kitchen, Shan Mei playfully tapped Seung Won’s head with her tray, and stuck her tongue out at him.

Xiang Zhe shook his head indulgently and laughed softly at her antics.

Yin Senior looked at his younger son, shocked. “What kind of a place is this world coming to? One hand, Xiang Zhe is worried about losing Shan Mei to another man, but he is now sitting at the table laughing indulgently at the girl, who appeared to be flirting with this Sung Seung Won in front of him and he is accepting it docilely. This cannot do. I must have a word with him tomorrow in the office. He’s a man, he’s going to be master of his own house. If he cannot control her now, he will fare even worse after he marries her. This girl is not a good choice.” Yin Senior was thinking to himself and didn’t look at all pleased.

Soon, Seung Won felt tired. He wanted to go home. He turned around to Xiang Zhe and asked, “Are you going to take Shan Mei home? I’m too whacked to wait around. She still has some things to do at the back room.” He brought his mouth close to Xiang Zhe’s ear and whispered laughingly to him, “We’ve finished all her oysters. I’d better run before she comes after me with a wine bottle. Every time I’m here, her oysters seem to disappear doubly fast.” Giving Xiang Zhe a pat on the shoulder, and polite bows to the elders at the table, he left. Xiang Zhe saw him signing for the bill on his way out. He must remember to thank him the next time he saw him and to ask Shan Mei to give him an oyster treat.

When Yin Senior was ready to leave, he told Xiang Zhe to stay behind, to escort Shan Mei home. It was very late for a girl to travel alone.

This was the first time Shan Mei was at Xiang Zhe’s office, and the first time she knew his father was the Chairman of Wen Rong Group, a listed company whose core business was the manufacture and supply of diodes. Their products were sold to at least 60% of the world’s semiconductor and electronic manufacturing and assembly plants.

She had always assumed he was Zian Da’s colleague, the two of them working at the same law firm.

This morning, Xiang Zhe accompanied Shan Mei over to the corporate offices of Duristeel to go over their accounts. Both of them worked silently in Duristeel’s big conference room. Whenever, she found some discrepancy, she would give a written memo to Xiang Zhe who as the legal representative from Wen Rong, would demand further documentation proof.

By late afternoon, Shan Mei had completed her task. Xiang Zhe thanked the General Manager of Duristeel for their kind cooperation. Wen Rong would get back to them, as soon as they received a conclusive and summary report from Miss Zhen.

After they left the Duristeel offices, as Xiang Zhe fastened on his seat belt, he suggested, “First things first. We need to take care of our stomachs.” Xiang Zhe then drove to a food booth tent that he had noticed on their way to Duristeel this morning. They ordered noodles and dumplings. While waiting for their food, Xiang Zhe gave Shan Mei a quizzical look.

Shan Mei smiled sweetly at him and took a sip of her iced barley tea. She said nothing and shook her head at him. He had guessed so yesterday in their conference room, when Duristeel’s general manager provided answers in such a way, as if well rehearsed but didn’t provide anything concrete or substantial. All the documentation that Shan Mei wanted verification on was exactly the points Wen Rong was not happy with. Sitting there across the table from Shan Mei taking their lunch, Xiang Zhe was highly impressed.

This morning, after she had spent an hour flipping through Duristeel’s Memorandum of Sales & Purchase, and the set of accounts they had attached to the Memorandum, Shan Mei could immediately assess the situation and asked for one paper after another in quick succession. She wanted original copies only, and would not accept any photostat copies.

By late afternoon, back in Wen Rong Building, in the chairman’s office, Yin Senior was also impressed by the professionalism of Miss Zhen. Last night, she worked late at the wine bar. This morning, she arrived very early at Xiang Zhe’s office. She looked very beautiful and elegant in her expensively cut and tailored suit. Now, after a late lunch, she looked just as fresh. When pressed for an assessment of the situation, Shan Mei declined to name a figure. As she sat across the table from Yin Senior, she promised, “When I am back in my office and have a chance to go over the notes I’ve made carefully, I’ll be able to determine Duristeel’s exact worth. I’ll let Xiang Zhe have my report tomorrow.”

The promised report arrived at Xiang Zhe’s office early the next morning. After Xiang Zhe flipped through the report, he took it to his father’s office and both of them went through the report, point by point.

It had been 3 years since the construction of Duristeel’s new building was completed yet it did not have an Occupancy Certificate even though the building was occupied. When Shan Mei suggested that Xiang Zhe asked about this, the people at Duristeel said they had no idea whether an O.C. was ever issued. If it was, they didn’t know where it was kept.

The land their present new building stood on was leased land with 30 year old lease, which would expire in 5 years. Check must be made with Land office to see whether the land would be reclaimed by the Land Office, or the land lease could be extended and at what premium. Shan Mei, on checking the land through her private channels, found that the ownership of the land where the building stood was not clearly established. Although the registered owner of the land was a company, the partners in the company were currently serving one another writs about Criminal Breach of Trust.

The other deterrent factor was that technologies Duristeel held were now outdated, yet Duristeel placed a very high value on them. Their plant machinery, at the time of purchase was not new but used machinery from Japan, and its maintenance cost very high.

Even their bad debts, which their accounting department tried to hide under various financial headings, were abnormally high. Shan Mei then listed where to trace the bad debts. In one section, Duristeel dared to group these under ‘anticipated income’ when the bulk of the bad debts was over 10 years old.

The thing Shan Mei was most worried about was external debts and borrowings. Their accounts showed very little, which was impossible for a company of their size, purchasing such a lot, yet with no visible source of hard cash income, when their bad debts were so high.

Since she insisted that Wen Rong pass up this purchase, she did not deem it necessary to give them Duristeel’s net worth.

When Chairman Yin went through the report, he wanted to know how come Wen Rong’s own accounting department couldn’t produce something so easy to follow through. They always produced the financial reports in a complicated manner that needed a man to stand by with explanations.

“But why wouldn’t she inform us of Duristeel’s net worth. You know Jin and Choi are the ones very interested in this purchase. At least I can show them some figure to tell him why we are against the purchase.”

“Dad, Shan Mei is being professionally diplomatic. When she doesn’t want to disclose their worth, it can only mean one thing – Duristeel is worth nothing. Notice her strong wording ‘insist’? I suspect it’s negative worth.”

“Son, this Zhen Shan Mei seems like a good choice. What kind of background does she come from?” As with most conservative class-conscious families, this was a very important factor.

Chapter 11

“Exactly the kind that I like – a very happy and ordinary family. They own an exclusive Korean restaurant in London. Her mother died when she was very young. Uncle Zhen decided to move to London to join his sister. Shan Mei’s Gugu has one son, one of the top photographers with BBC London. Her husband, Uncle Kim, is captain on one of Hanjoon’s container liners, plying between Hong Kong and Southampton, England. They are very kind and helpful people. You heard from Sung Seung Won about how they didn’t want him to spend so much of his money on food, neither did they want him to feel he was accepting charity by inviting him to eat with them. When I was in London, they didn’t want me to waste money staying in a hotel; they invited me to stay in their granny flat since it was empty.”

“Didn’t they know anything about your background?”

“No. Such things are not important to them. As long as I am a trusted friend of Shan Mei, that’s good enough for them. And Shan Mei didn’t know I was part of the Wen Rong Group, until I sought her assistance last night with Duristeel. If I didn’t reveal my connection with Wen Rong, she wouldn’t have agreed to check on them.”

“What kind of character does she have? Last night, she was not afraid to flirt in front of you with that Sung Seung Won. She’s a brazen hussy, I’d say.”

Xiang Zhe laughed so loud and so long until tears came to his eyes, oblivious to his father’s chagrin. “Father, you must understand Shan Mei is an only child, and doted upon as the princess in her home. Since Seung Won became her friend when she was 12, of course, he became her elder brother too. In the beginning, I too was very jealous of Seung Won, until I understood the situation. She was not flirting with Seung Won. She was being spoilt and mischievous sister with him. Seung Won is also in the same boat. He is 3rd son of Chairman Sung, and only son of Chairman Sung’s second wife. In their household, he is only friendly with the 4th son Seung Hoon from Chairman Sung’s third wife. His other siblings from his First Mother ignore him and Seung Hoon, never even want to acknowledge them as their younger brothers. The Zhen family treats him as one of them. No wonder he loves Shan Mei like a true sister. I’m her first boyfriend, same way as she’s my first girlfriend.”

“You once told me you would only marry a girl you love. Your brother and I can see that you love her very much. What about her? Does she love you just as much?”

“I know she does. My well being is foremost in her mind. When she knew I only ate out and seldom went home for meals, she cooks all the time for me. When I play baseball with my friends, she’s there to cheer me on at every game, with her heat cooling tea. Sometimes I tease her, telling her I have headache, she would drop everything at work, and rush home to make me her wonderful soups. When I tell her I’m deluged with work in the office and have no appetite, she makes me the most tasty abalone chicken porridge.” When Xiang Zhe was telling his father this, Yin Senior could see the sweet smile on his lips and the love in his eyes. Father became affected too.

“Okay, I get the message. But I suggest we wait a few months before proposing marriage. Maybe we should visit her father in London. What do you think?” Xiang Zhe didn’t say anything. He simply smiled at his father. One hand in his trouser pocket, the other hand rubbing at his forehead, to hide his embarrassment, he quietly made his way back to his office.

Yin Senior roared with laughter, laughing at his shy son who gone red around the ears. Yes, his son was deeply in love with this Zhen Shan Mei. Last night he didn’t have too good an impression of her. This morning, she seemed like an angel. He was happy Xiang Zhe finally found someone he could accept. Xiang Zhe never liked coming home because he never liked their matching-making tricks. Yin Senior now didn’t have to worry about Xiang Zhe not getting home cooked meals. He believed Xiang Zhe’s claim that Shan Mei was a wonderful cook. The oysters she served them last night were simply delicious. He could still feel the taste in his mouth. He wished he could have her oysters everyday, but that would be impossible, for health reasons. He would make a point of dropping by the wine bar, once a month for the oysters, maybe taking Xiang Zhe’s mother along. And maybe when Xiang Zhe got his abalone chicken porridge, he could tag along.

A few nights later, after dinner, Yin Xiang Min took his wife to Mellow Out, wanting to introduce her to Xiang Zhe’s girlfriend.

His wife was surprised. “You are sure she is his girlfriend? I’ve tried to introduce so many of my cousins and girlfriends to him, but every time he had refused to meet them. I’ve got to see with my own eyes what’s so special about this one.”

Of course she was intrigued. All her match-making efforts had come to zilch, especially when she tried to recommend her cousins. After that time when Xiang Zhe threw a big tantrum and refused to go home any more for dinner, her parents-in-law had told her to stop her match-making efforts. If Xiang Zhe wanted to remain a bachelor, let him. After all, it was his own life, let him lead it the way he wanted. Now, suddenly her husband and her father-in-law were telling the family members that Xiang Zhe had found his perfect partner. The girl was not only very charming and capable, she was also very sweet and gentle.

At 10 p.m. Shan Mei walked into Mellow Out. Yin Xiang Min caught her attention. Shan Mei walked over to his table and asked if there was anything special he needed for the night. Xiang Min smiled and then introduced his wife Qing Ai to Shan Mei. As usual, Shan Mei found something nice and complimentary to say to Xiang Min’s wife. She knew women always felt more secure when being complimented by another woman in front of their husbands. “Shan Mei, I have been telling my wife about your oysters. Could we have a dozen tonight?”

“Mr. Yin, I’ll go in to the kitchen and see whether our order for oysters has arrived. Last night a group of patrons came in and finished the whole lot.” With a soft smile and respectful bow, Shan Mei went off.

After he had parked his car, Xiang Zhe walked in a little while later. He was surprised to see his brother and gave him a quizzical look when he noticed he and his wife were sitting at a table talking to Shan Mei. That sneak!

As soon as Shan Mei left the table, he quietly approached the table and jovially asked his elder brother, “What’s up?”

“Bringing your sister-in-law to try Shan Mei’s delicious oysters!”

“That’s all? Nothing else?”

“What else is there? Don’t tell me you’re both secretly sharing a household?”

“Why would I want to sneak around with Shan Mei when I want to marry her? She is the one putting me on hold.”

When Qing Ai heard the admission from her brother-in-law, she almost choked. To hide the tightness in her throat, she slowly took a sip from her glass of white wine. She almost choked because she now realized her cousin sister who had this crush on Xiang Zhe would have no more hope. Qing Ai had encouraged her for quite a number of years because after she married the Yin’s family eldest son, she later discovered that the second son was a much bigger catch. Apparently, he was the favourite grandson of his paternal and maternal grandparents. When they died, they left the bulk of their property and assets to this Yin second son. She had tried to talk her mother-in-law to accept a marriage proposal from her cousin’s family on behalf of Xiang Zhe when her mother-in-law told her very plainly not to meddle in Xiang Zhe’s private business. Qing Ai didn’t realize that Xiang Zhe was also his mother’s favourite son, out of the 3 Yin sons.

It was late May, the weather was hot and humid. Xiang Zhe felt restless. He told Shan Mei he didn’t feel like going to Suwon for his once-a-month classes at the local university. She became vexed with him. He had made a promise, he must go. The students had waited one month to see their handsome lecturer, how could he let them down?

“What about you? Won’t you miss your handsome boyfriend while he’s away?”

“I have him for at least 29 days out of a month. I’m not selfish. I can lend him to them for 1 day. Be good and take care on the road. Keep your ears on the weather report. I heard that a typhoon has been forming somewhere near Japan these past 2 days and may be heading this way.”

Xiang Zhe laughed wickedly and told her, “I’d rather keep my ears on your heart.”

Very early the next morning, Xiang Zhe started off. Suwon was a 1-1/2 hour drive away. When he had been on the road almost 45 minutes, he called Shan Mei, “Good morning. Sleeping Beauty. I started off very early this morning. In 45 minutes, I should be there. You be good today. I love you.”

“Xiang Zhe, do take care on the road. There’s no need to rush back. I’ll have dinner ready for you. I love you too.”

“You teaser, why don’t you tell me that when we’re together. Why do you have to wait until I’m miles away from you before you start talking like a woman in love? Tonight, I want you to tell me in my face, okay? I’m missing you.”

As Xiang Zhe drove along, the winds seemed to be blowing around him from all directions. He turned on the radio. Of course he knew a typhoon was brewing somewhere around the Sea of Japan. If the typhoon kept on its present course, it would be tomorrow morning when it blew over the southern part of the Korean peninsula. Maybe by then, its strength would have dissipated.

Xiang Zhe usually spent the morning at the university in the lecture room with his students. After a short lunch time break at noon, the class would convene again for a 3 hour class discussion when the students would bombard him with questions needing legal clarification, solutions or advice.

Today was different. By 1 o’clock, it was announced that Typhoon Meiko had changed its course, gathered up speed at an alarming rate, increased in intensity and had just crossed over the coast and was blowing its way across the Korean peninsula, heading towards Seoul. When it hit the coast earlier, it left a trail of destruction in its wake – about 10 small islands along the coast. Almost all the fishing villages on these islands were destroyed. The Koreans were told to immediately head for home if they were out on the streets.

The students lived around the Suwon area. They asked Professor Yin to stay another hour. It was so difficult, getting to see him only one day out of the month, and he was the most helpful legal lecturer they had in the Law faculty. Xiang Zhe didn’t want to disappoint them, so by the time he made his way out of the university grounds to head for home, it was almost 3 p.m.

By that time, the rains were pelting down like hail, the strong gusts blowing the heavy rains in all directions, making driving difficult and visibility nearly impossible.

At one stage, Xiang Zhe was almost driving at snail speed. He drove the car into a parking bay, and tried to call Shan Mei. No lines were available from the network. He smoked a cigarette. When Shan Mei was still not responding, deep frowns began to form on his forehead. "This girl, every time I feel an urgent need to talk to her, she’s always busy somewhere else.” Xiang Zhe didn’t want to tarry, so he continued to drive on. At the speed he was able to drive at, the usual 1-1/2 hour trip would most probably take 3 hours

Chapter 12

By the time Xiang Zhe reached the city, Typhoon Signal 10 was hoisted 15 minutes ago, meaning the eye of the typhoon was going to hit Seoul. It was past 6 o’clock and many of the roads were empty of people and vehicles. He still couldn’t get Shan Mei on her mobile phone, at her office or at the wine bar. He drove straight to Shan Mei’s house. It was in darkness. Xiang Zhe’s heart palpitated with uneasiness, his head tight with worry.

Xiang Zhe rang the doorbell several times. No answer. He became frantic. “Shan Mei, Shan Mei, open up,” he yelled banging at the door loudly. He walked around the house trying to peer into the house through the windows but all the windows had been boarded up by wooden panels. By this time, he was all drenched, his wet hair plastered down, his eyes bright with near hysteria, he was like a man possessed.

Gale-force winds and rain were beating against him. He noticed the garden chairs and table being blown about. He secured the garden chairs to the tree trunk. He turned the table on its top and placed it at one corner of the fence. Someone had turned the flower pots on their sides and left them along the picket fence.

That silly girl, where was she. He was frantic and almost out of his mind with all sorts of crazy thoughts coursing through him. Finally he called Seung Won, “Hi, Yin Xiang Zhe here. Do you know where Shan Mei is?”

“I went with her to the wine bar to help her board up the place, and then sent her home as soon as the radio warned the typhoon was approaching and Typhoon Signal 8 was up. After I turned down the flower pots in her garden and helped her board up the windows I left, when she assured me she would be alright. She told me you were going to see her after your class. She must be home. Shan Mei normally leaves a house key out under a flower pot.”

“I looked at the usual place, it’s not there.”

“Oh dear, I’m sorry, I just remembered. After I turned down all the pots, I put the key in a small plastic bag and tied it inside the main gate for you. When you face the house, it’s on the left side of the gate facing in. Hey, don’t worry. I don’t think she managed to go anywhere. No taxis are running, with this rain and these winds.”

“Thanks.”

Xiang Zhe found the key, and his hands were shaking as he tried to open the door. It was all dark downstairs. He ran upstairs to her room. He saw a heap on the bed. He pulled away the quilt and saw Shan Mei curled up in foetal position, shivering on the bed. In two steps he was next to her and pulled her up into his arms. Kissing her, stroking her hair, her back.

“Darling, darling, I’m here,” he breathed into her ear as he cradled her face and looked into her eyes, the irises dark and dilated with fear. “Oh darling, why didn’t you call me?” he cried, his lips at once descended onto her mouth, and he kissed her like a man crazed. He wouldn’t let go of her. As soon as he came up for air, he would dip his head to kiss her again, making sure she was real, and not some figment of his imagination.

“Don’t you ever do this to me again! No matter what else you may be doing, you must never ignore my calls. Why, why didn’t you call me?”

Her voice was shaking as she murmured, “Every time I tried to get up to call, the howling winds were too terrifying. I was under the quilt, I didn’t hear the phone ringing. Xiang Zhe, you are all wet. My pyjamas are wet too.” she laughed softly. “Quickly change out of these wet clothes.”

Shan Mei went into the other room, and got out her father’s loose sleeping pants and T- shirt, then pushed Xiang Zhe into the bathroom, calling after him, “Take a hot shower while you’re in there.”

She returned to her bedroom, and changed into dry clothes, and sat on the bed waiting.

When Xiang Zhe appeared, they went downstairs together. Shan Mei prepared some hot beef noodles with mushroom kimchi for him.

Midway through the meal, Shan Mei asked Xiang Zhe, “What about your own apartment? Do you need to go back and check that it’s alright?”

“No need to worry. Dad had called me while I was still in Suwon, telling me he had arranged for a group of workers from the factory to board my place up. Mum had also left some food in the fridge for me. Maybe tomorrow morning after the typhoon signals have been lowered, we can go over to my place for breakfast.”

Shan Mei had never visited Xiang Zhe’s place. He had not told her that he had moved to a house quite close to her neighbourhood about 6 months ago and would surprise her tomorrow. He had left the huge master bedroom empty awaiting the day both he and Shan Mei would together decide how to furnish it. Presently, he was staying in one of the other spare bedrooms.

After that, Shan Mei took fresh bed sheets and blanket from the linen closet for the other room. Xiang Zhe refused to sleep in the other room. Holding on tightly to her, he told her, “I want to keep you company. I’ll never again leave you. I want to marry you tomorrow, if it is at all possible, so I can be by your side forever.”

Now, lying on the sofa in Shan Mei’s room, he was not able to go to sleep. He couldn’t think straight. The howling winds were coming closer, the torrential rain was not letting up, beating down against the rooftop and boarded windows relentlessly. He told himself, after tonight he would not let her stay in the house by herself. Either he spent the nights there, or she moved over to his place. It was too terrifying imagining Shan Mei alone at home.

Very quickly he got up and approached Shan Mei. Holding her in his arms, sitting up on her bed, their heads against the headboard, he reasoned, “Shan Mei, we’ll go to London to see your father on the first available flight out of Seoul. I want to ask for his permission to marry you.” He kissed her gently on her forehead, and then coaxed her to sleep. When she didn’t protest, he knew she was just as terrified as he was.

After the typhoon blew over, Xiang Zhe helped Shan Mei removed the window boards and cleaned up the garden. Seung Won and Zian Da, on their part, helped Shan Mei and Yong Xi clean up Mellow Out.

“I mean it, Shan Mei. Either I spend the nights here or you spend the nights over at my place. You can make the decision after you see my place later on. Tomorrow night I am taking you home to meet my parents.”

Later that day when Yin Senior told his wife that Xiang Zhe was bringing his girlfriend home to meet them tomorrow night, Mrs. Yin Senior began weeping. “What’s the matter with you? This is a day for celebrating, not for crying. I swear I’ll never understand you women. Why don’t you start planning what you’re going to give us for dinner? A word of advice – the girl is a fantastic cook, so the dishes you intend to serve better be good.”

“She’s a cook?” Mrs. Yin Senior whimpered absentmindedly, still reeling from the fact that their son finally was taking a girl home to meet them.

“No, but she can cook,” Yin Senior hissed, clearly losing his patience with his wife. “So, at the dinner table please don’t start whining about your son not coming home for his home-cooked food. I believe that rascal is being fed better than me. And it’s best not to talk too much; you will only embarrass Xiang Zhe.”

Mrs. Yin Senior slipped quietly out of the room. She had stopped her weeping but her heart was still beating at an unhealthy pace. The maid was cleaning the house, so she went to sit down in a warm corner of the kitchen.

Xiang Zhe bringing home a girlfriend? Did that mean he has fallen in love?

Mrs. Yin Senior sniffled again. Taking her hankie out from a side pocket, she blew her nose. She had wept because she was too happy for her son. He wouldn’t be like the rest of them – this household being dictated by the rules of family traditions, conventional customs and social expectations. No one in their family did anything out of love, except her second son. Xiang Zhe, by marrying a girl he loved and of his own choice, would know love. Mrs. Yin Senior had read about true love in the privacy of her sewing room from novels collected from her young days and from the many television dramas being shown with love as their main themes, but she herself had never experienced true love. Tomorrow night she would be able to see for herself whether her son had chosen wisely.

Her eldest son had expected an arranged marriage and made no fuss when his father told him one day that he was to marry the Lee family’s eldest daughter. Money, and not love, figured in his life. And he didn’t mind his wife being very money-conscious and boastful. He had joked several times that only a successful man could afford to indulge his wife. So, if they had the money, why not flaunt it?

The next night at exactly 8 p.m. sharp, Xiang Zhe arrived at the family home with Shan Mei. One look at her son holding on protectively to a hand of the girl, Mrs. Yin Senior knew this was going to be a match made in heaven. The girl was pretty, sweet, natural and not flashy at all. She came with several gift packages – a bottle of the best French Red ‘Margaux’ of Premier Cru from one of the best vintage years, and a bottle of Platinum Shiraz from Australia, also from its best vintage year. In a special Japanese gift-wrapped lacquer set of 4-tiered bento boxes were 3 different types of kimchi Shan Mei had personally prepared – a mixed-seafood kimchi which could be eaten that night; 2 other types which could only be considered ready after another 3 days of pickling. In the 4th bento box, Shan Mei had prepared special salmon and avocado sushi rolls according to Bi Won’s secret sauce recipe.

Earlier that morning, when Xiang Zhe saw her preparing the food, he had teased her, “Trying to impress your future mother-in-law?” He couldn’t resist popping 2 portions of the sushi rolls into his mouth and after tasting, he pronounced them ‘simply delicious.’

Mrs. Yin Senior was surprised to hear from her son that the girl Shan Mei worked and would continue to do so, after their marriage. The senior lady thought most girls would happily give up their careers once they’ve caught themselves rich husbands. Didn’t their eldest daughter-in-law do just that? That was one of the main reasons why mother-in-law never quite felt easy in the company of daughter-in-law. She had too much time on her hands. If she was not out shopping or consulting some cosmetic surgeon, she would meddle in Xiang Zhe’s private affairs wanting to introduce this girl or that girl, trying to convince her father-in-law if Xiang Zhe didn’t marry soon, people were beginning to speculate about his oddity.

A week after the dinner at the Yin’s family home, Xiang Zhe flew with Shan Mei and his family to London to meet the Zhen family.

Yin Senior was taken aback when he realized Zhen Senior had never heard of the Wen Rong Group or knew that the group supplied electronic diodes to almost 60% of the world’s electronics assembly factories. Throughout the family discussion, Zhen Senior was only interested in 2 facts: whether the young couple was truly sure they loved one another and why Xiang Zhe was in such a rush to become engaged to Shan Mei. He never once asked whether Xiang Zhe was in a position to support a wife or to ensure her a certain level of comfort, not that he was expecting any kind of luxurious lifestyle. His daughter had been taught from young to be careful with money. When he later heard that Xiang Zhe was a lawyer, he became doubly cautious well aware that some lawyers were good at double talking. He was hesitant in agreeing to anything until his daughter had assured him that she wanted this marriage. Zhen Senior wanted Xiang Zhe to agree that all the children would be born in England, and they would spend at least a month out of a year in London. When Xiang Zhe agreed to the terms set out by Shan Mei’s father and assured him that he loved Shan Mei and would never let her down, Zhen Senior finally agreed, much to the delight of Gugu and Mrs. Yin Senior. Two nights later, a small private function was hastily organized at Bi Won to celebrate Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei’s engagement

Shan Mei met Xiang Zhe’s younger brother for the first time at the function. His younger brother, Xiang Jie, was taking a management course, majoring in financial management and taxation law with the London School of Economics. This was his second year in London and his first year at LSE. He had spent the first year taking intensive English language tuition.

Shan Mei liked Xiang Zhe’s brother at first sight. Xiang Jie liked Shan Mei at once and was so happy his elder brother had made such a brilliant choice. After the function, the entire group went to the Zhen’s residence for Gugu’s special engagement sweet soup of Five Blessings and Double Happiness. When Xiang Min saw a piano in the Zhen’s ante room, he asked Xiang Zhe to play something to commemorate the occasion. He remembered he too played some pieces on the piano for Qing Ai on the night of their engagement.

Zhen Senior laughed happily at the suggestion. Gugu immediately asked Shan Mei to bring out her violin to accompany Xiang Zhe on the piano. Xiang Zhe was pleasantly surprised; he didn’t know Shan Mei played any musical instrument.

Gugu smiled charmingly at him and warned him, “Xiang Zhe, you better keep your eyes closely on this future wife of yours. She not only plays the piano and violin, but dances like a pro. She and that Seung Won jived their way through many dancing competitions, carting away all the major prizes during their university days.”

When Xiang Zhe and Shan Mei finished their playing, Xiang Zhe was so overwhelmed. Shan Mei’s playing was so hauntingly beautiful, and that smile and that rapturous look on her face would forever be indelibly imprinted on his mind, this evening of their engagement. He wanted so badly to pull her into his arms and kiss her thoroughly, but he had to adhere to some semblance of propriety. He must behave in front of the elders!

Xiang Jie was applauding and claiming everything was brilliant. By the end of the evening, Shan Mei noticed his favourite word was ‘Brilliant’.

“Xiang Jie, why don’t you drop by the house for dinner every evening? Weekends, if you’re doing nothing, you can come by for your breakfast and lunch as well. If you want you can stay over during the weekends, just give my pa or Gugu a call to let them know. And if Brother Youzhen is not busy taking his girlfriend around, you can learn some photography tricks from him. His dark room is at the back of the house. Our place is only 10 minutes by train from London’s city centre main Station. Brilliant?”

Xiang Jie looked at Shan Mei, thinking his future sister-in-law was so cool. “Brilliant, definitely.” And he smiled sweetly and shyly at her.

Mrs. Yin Senior, when she heard the offer from Shan Mei, was grateful. She didn’t have to worry or complain to her husband about their youngest son being alone in London anymore.

Zhen Senior wanted Shan Mei to remain in London for an extra few days. Yin Senior also suggested Xiang Zhe stay back to keep Shan Mei company. It was only then that Xiang Zhe learned from Youzhen that the family was going to celebrate Shan Mei’s 26th birthday on 7 June. Yes, he would get Shan Mei a pearl and diamond pendant to complement the diamond engagement ring he had given her on their engagement.

Chapter 13 (Conclusion)

It was the usual Sunday afternoon custom, Xiang Zhe and his buddies met for baseball game.

After half an hour of miserable play, the team leader called for a break. “Emergency meeting,” he roared out to the players and reserves.

Sitting under a big, shady tree and looking at Xiang Zhe, Jung Woo the team leader claimed rumours were flying all over town that Sung Seung Won was so heart-broken Shan Mei was marrying Xiang Zhe that he was packing up and moving permanently to Australia. Another rumour was Sung Seung Won was planning to run off with Shan Mei to Australia, leaving Xiang Zhe at the altar with no bride. It was the classic case of unrequited love because Sung Seung Won had been afraid to declare his love to Shan Mei all these years, getting flake from his parents that he could manage to lose Shan Mei to another man after all this time.

When the Sung parents wanted him to marry, he said he had a girl in mind. But he told them he wanted to wait for Shan Mei to grow up; later he said he wanted to wait for her to finish her studies; then he wanted to wait for Shan Mei to establish herself. So finally, poor man, he waited to see her marry another man. His mother wanted him to declare his love to Shan Mei. Maybe there was still hope for him. Engagements could be called off. If he never told Shan Mei, how would he expect her to ever know?

“So Brother Xiang Zhe, what are you going to do? We’re your mates. We have an obligation to let you know what we have been hearing around town.”

Xiang Zhe thanked his buddies for their information. After changing out of his sports gear, he sped off to Shan Mei’s house. Sure enough he saw Seung Won’s red-coloured Nissan 350Z outside her house.

He parked his car somewhere discreetly close by and waited. He became too impatient to sit in the car and wait, chain-smoking one cigarette after another. Seung Won had been in there a long time. When he couldn’t tamp down his curiosity any more, Xiang Zhe let himself into the Zhen garden and walked around the house, peeping in through the window. He saw them in the living room. Shan Mei was in Seung Won’s arms. Apparently she had been crying because Seung Won was wiping her cheeks, her eyes with his hankie. He was stroking her back, talking softly to her. She nodded once in a while. Each time, a sweet smile appeared. Finally, he lifted up her face. He looked into it; he must be telling her something wonderful because she flashed him a dazzling smile, then she grabbed his hand and placed it lovingly against her cheek.

Xiang Zhe was boiling mad, what was she doing? Double crossing him? How could she accept his ring and his pendant, then go behind his back and do something like this? Were they really planning to run away together, leaving him in the lurch? If they couldn’t wait till October, their wedding day which also happened to be their 2nd Wine Adventure anniversary, would Seung Won run off with Shan Mei before then?

He saw Seung Won giving Shan Mei a long, white envelope. She took it and nodded her head as if in agreement to something. He then gave her a deep kiss on her cheek. He went to the sofa to pick up his jacket, as if getting ready to leave. Xiang Zhe immediately hurried back to his car. He valiantly tried to think clearly and console himself. “Sometimes things are not what they seem to be.”

Seung Won emerged. His eyes were all red. It seemed he had been crying too, and he hadn’t stopped crying. Xiang Zhe could see his eyes were still watery. After turning around to look at the house one last time, he slowly slid into his car, and then drove off.

Xiang Zhe waited a while then phoned Shan Mei telling her he was outside her house. Shan Mei came to open the door to let him in.

He wanted to be calm and reasonable, but….. Without preamble, he turned on Shan Mei, demanding to know what Seung Won was doing in her house. “Are you planning to run away with him, now that he has declared his love for you? He brought air ticket to you this afternoon, knowing I’ll be busy with my baseball game, didn’t he? He’s always pretending to be so helpful when all along he’s plotting to steal my bride. One word of love from him is worth more than a thousand words of sweet nothings from me, right?”

“You’re having one of your baseless jealous fits again? It’s pointless talking to you now.” Shan Mei then ran up the stairs to her room.

Xiang Zhe whirled around, his eyes following her. He could feel his anger, a kind of raging, flaming fury devouring him. He was past reasoning. He blindly followed her up those stairs. Knocking at her door, he shouted to her to open up. When he got no answer, he turned the knob and the door opened. It was not locked.

Shan Mei had flung herself onto her bed. She was sobbing.

Xiang Zhe didn’t care. His expression was tormented as his glaring eyes bore into her. “I knew all along he is the one you want. I was deluding myself.”

Shan Mei sat up in bed and was trying to pull the engagement ring off her finger. In two quick steps, Xiang Zhe was in front of her by the bed and clasped on hard to her left hand.

“You are not removing that ring from your finger. I’m not letting you. You have promised to marry me.”

After a while, he sat down on the bed beside her. In a tearful voice, he rebuked, “You should have rejected me right from the beginning, instead of feeding me false hope. I know I’m only No. 2. He has always been No. 1”

“Are you through with your crazed babbles?”

“Yes, I’m crazed. I’m crazed with raging jealousy.” Xiang Zhe stared intently at Shan Mei, his eyes blazing with wild fury.

Shan Mei stared back at Xiang Zhe, not knowing how to handle him in this state. She wanted to take him into her arms and soothe away his raging fires, his insecurity but Shan Mei was too tired to be patient. She decided to shock him out of his seizure.

“Xiang Zhe, kiss me.”

Xiang Zhe was completely stunned. She had refused to be intimate with him after they became engaged, not even once. Thereafter, she never let him spend the night at her house. Was she now giving him a final goodbye kiss? If that was the case, he would give her a kiss she would not forget. He wanted not only to kiss her. He wanted to eat her up, so no one but he could have her. There would be no escape for her. The expression on his face held both tenderness and sensual savagery. He brought his hand up, his long fingers brushing against the softness of her cheek, lingering for one tantalising moment against the fullness of her lips.

He reached for her, crushing her soft body to every hard line of his, burying his face in her soft hair. His lips were poised just above hers so she could feel and taste his smoky breath. His dark head dipped as his mouth took hers, at the same time pushing her gently to lie on the bed, his strong arms drawing her so close to the hard length of his body that they seemed to be fused together. His mouth then curved erotically over the exposed part of her creamy white throat, the delicate angle of her jaw, the sensitive hollow just behind her ear. He trailed his lips slowly up to her mouth again, and kissed her hard. His tongue parted her lips, delved into her mouth and began its hot, uncontrollable exploration.

Shan Mei went soft against him. He couldn’t contain his excitement. She was kissing him back. He trailed frenzied kisses all over her face, his lips caressed her ears, murmuring hoarsely against her, “I want more…wa.n.t m..ooo..r.e.” As he trailed his mouth down her graceful neck, he slowly unbuttoned her cotton blouse, pulling it away from her slender shoulders. His head moved lower to her breasts, his mouth gently teasing one pulsating nipple before he gave his tormenting attention to its twin. He reached out and cupped one breast in his hand. Shan Mei bit her lower lip trying to smother a cry, but to no avail. As he kissed her, gently kneading her, her soft moans were stretching his control to the limit. He knew if he didn’t stop, he would burst. Slowly, he realized she was not moaning, she was softly crying..!!

Breathing shakily, he fought hard to regain his senses. Resting his head between her tender mounds, the warm pad of his thumb sitting now on the tiny pulse that was beating so frantically at the base of her throat, his voice slightly wobbly, he sobbed thickly into her chest. “Darling, I’m sorry, so sorry, please forgive me.” Shan Mei was sobbing softly too, her hands so full of love and tenderness as she gently stroked his head, his hair, his face. He lifted his face and looked into her eyes to let her see the remorse in his eyes. “I love you, Shan Mei. You know I won’t do anything to hurt you.” he cried into her.

Shan Mei half sat up as Xiang Zhe lifted himself off her and rolled onto his back to lie on the bed. His eyes were wild when he drew away.

She was very much affected too. “Now, do you believe I truly love you? You’re No. 1 and have always been No. 1 in my heart. There are no others.”

“Did I frighten you?” he asked, his voice remorseful and full of regret, and he caught on to her hand that was slowly buttoning up the blouse.

“No. I trust you, I believe in you. I know you won’t cross the line and hurt me, because you love me.”

“Oh Shan Mei, please forgive me. I can’t live without you. I can’t let you go, even if I’ve to share you with him.”

“You don’t have to share me with any man, you silly goose.”

“What about him?” An arm was flung over his forehead to hide the tears in his eyes.

“He’s not a man, he’s a woman.”

“What???” Xiang Zhe sat up immediately, pulling Shan Mei up with him, to lean against the headboard.

“You mean all this while he has been masquerading as a man?”

Shan Mei nodded her head, a secret smile on her face.

“Seung Won and Peter are my good sisters.”

“What?? You mean….” Xiang Zhe rubbed at the back of his neck, looking foolishly at Shan Mei.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner, instead of putting me through months of agony with this Seung Won and that Peter Kim forever flitting in and around you?”

“It’s not my secret to tell. Theirs is a great love story. Knowing them makes me believe in true love. It’s now 10 years for them. They could be together only a week out of each month, yet they never strayed. When we landed the PPI account, at least they could spend 2 weeks a month together. Now, with our marriage, Seung Won cannot use me as a decoy any more, he’s moving permanently to Melbourne, telling his parents that we have landed a big account there which is quite true. He’s telling his friends he’s running away to mend a broken heart. Seung Won and Peter are great guys.”

“Why tell me now??”

“Otherwise there will be no peace in our future household. They’ve finally got the chance to set up house together. Seung Won is giving his share of the business to me. He has agreed to do internal auditing for 5 more PPI subsidiaries, so he tells me its fair exchange. Peter is giving me the toy factory. There’s no need for him to come to Seoul anymore. He’s a certified accountant himself so he can help Seung Won. He will also concentrate on coming up with more gift ideas for the Australian Tourism Board. Now he will have more time to really sell his ideas to other big corporations wanting premium items to hand out as free corporate gifts.” She showed Xiang Zhe the transfer of ownership papers in the long white envelope that Seung Won had given her.

“We’ll better think how we’re going to divide our work load. I’ll have to run the accounting firm and the toy factory on my own. Aiyoo, I think we better not get married. I won’t have time to be a proper wife.”

“Darling, how can you start talking like this? We’re going to be life partners, sharing in everything, yes?”

Shan Mei nodded her head.

“I’ll help you. You take care of the accounting side, I’ll take care of the legal side of the accounting business. You hire one qualified accountant and two or three more accounting assistants, one to handle only the Mellow Out accounts. I’ll go over to the factory 2 or 3 times a week. We’ll get Yong Xi to spend more time at the wine bar. Back end, I’ll be responsible for purchasing and wine ordering. I’ll make Zian Da in charge of inventory. At home, I’ll take care of the housework, you take care of feeding me your delicious food. What do you think Mrs. Yin?”

“Perfect. When your little brother returns for his summer holidays, we’ll get him to help me out in the accounting firm.”

“Brilliant!” they echoed together and they both laughed at Xiang Jie’s favourite word.

“But what about your work at Wen Rong?”

“Much of the legal matters are routine stuff. I’ll ask my assistant to take care. The only thing needing my attention is reading the important papers and my signature as legal head of Wen Rong. If my father wants you as his daughter-in-law he will have to accept that his son has to think of his own wife too.”

Another thought came to Xiang Zhe’s mind. “What about the office space? Does Seung Won want to take it back?

“No, he said he will leave that to his godchild. I’ve promised him he’ll be godfather to our first child. Peter will be godfather to our second child. Do you mind?”

He shook his head slowly, his eyes resting lovingly on her. “They can only if our first two babies are girls. No way am I letting them be godparents to our sons,” Xiang Zhe warned.

“Shan Mei?” One arm around her shoulders, the other hand latching onto Shan Mei’s hand now lying lovingly on his thigh.

“Yes?” Shan Mei answered, she smiling sweetly at Xiang Zhe, her finger drawing heart shaped figures on his chest.

“I love you…”

Shan Mei tilted up her head to look at him, her expressive eyes were full of love and tenderness. She gave him another sweet, dazzling smile, and then puckered up her lips to him for his kiss.

****And They Lived Happily Ever After****