Chapter 51

VICTORIOUS DEFEAT

Yuki was smiling as she spoke on the phone, giving Jing and Mei Zuo, who were seated on the sofa in Yuki's apartment, a thumbs-up sign.

"Yes... yes, boss... No problem. I'll tell them. You take care of her, then, alright?" Yuki hung up and sat down beside Jing.

"He's with her."

A sigh of relief issued from Jing. "Thank God!" she whispered. "Where did he find her?"

Yuki smiled proudly. "At Studio 7. I don't know why I did not think of it sooner."

"Studio 7?" Jing asked. "What's that?"

"It's a studio in Artiste. It is yet unused, but that is where the boss and Aisha spend a lot of time together. That place is special to them both." She seemed to realize the implications of her words to Mei Zuo. "Oh, sorry," she said softly.

Mei Zuo only nodded, smiling slightly. "I am glad Aisha is alright." He stood up. "I must get going. I need to get some sleep. You two should do the same."

Jing got to her feet as well. "I'll go with you," she said and Mei Zuo nodded.

"I'll drop you off," he said, and turned to Yuki. "Thanks, Yuki."

When they were both inside the car, Jing broke the silence. "What a day, huh?"

"Yeah," Mei Zuo replied thoughtfully. "What a day."

"I'm glad everything's alright now."

"Yeah," was his only reply, and this made Jing sigh.

"Mei Zuo, I know this is hard for you, and I could only imagine - "

"We're here."

Jing looked around to find they were in front of the gates of her home. Wondering how they got here so soon, she turned to look at him, her words dying on her lips when she saw him smiling a little.

"Good night, Jing," he said.

"Mei Zuo..."

"Quit worrying about me. Go inside, have a long, nice, warm bath, and go to sleep."

She looked at him for a long moment, then sighed. "I suggest you do the same when you get back to the hotel."

"I will," he said.

When Jing watched him drive away, she could not help but feel a little worried about Mei Zuo. Maybe this was what he needed, she thought. Maybe he needed to see firsthand that Aisha could no longer be his. It is painful, but necessary.

She wondered where Hua Ze Lei and Aisha were, or what they were doing. Surely they are together right now, and there is a lot to talk about. Jing closed her eyes as a sharp pain crept up her chest. Yes. Painful, but necessary.

Sending a small prayer to the heavens for Mei Zuo, Jing went inside.

Outside the window the night crept in, accompanied by the city lights dancing against the dim walls of the studio. He surmised it must be about nine already, and they had been sitting there for a good two hours now, his arms around her, and hers around him.

Hua Ze Lei looked down at her head on his lap and, with his free hand, stroked her hair. His other hand clung to hers and even now he gripped it so hard, as though afraid to let her go for fear she might go away again.

Through the dimness of the room he could still make out her face as she lay there, snuggling close to him.

"You're holding my hand so tight," she said softly, but Hua Ze Lei did not even slacken his hold.

"Tell me if I am hurting you, then I would let go."

"No, you're not hurting me."

"Then I will not let it go," he said and held on tighter.

Another moment of silence went by, and all they could hear was the sound of their hearts beating against their chests.

"Aisha?"

"Mmmm?"

"Are you tired running?"

A slight pause. "Yes."

"Promise me it ends now."

A pause. "I promise."

He dropped a soft kiss on top of her head.

"Lei..."

"Yes?"

"I'm scared."

Hua Ze Lei was about to ask why, then realized her fear. He watched her as she slowly sat up and faced him. In the dim light of the room, he could the uncertainty in her eyes.

"You are having doubts..." he said.

"But not about this, not about this feeling." She took a deep breath before speaking again. "If there is one thing in all these that I am sure about, it is the fact that I love you. I have loved you since you walked into my life."

"-and stole my wallet back for me." He laughed slightly and she smiled in remembrance.

"But I am terrified," she whispered. "A lot of people are going to get hurt. Mei Zuo, Xiao Qiao, Jing... Is it really possible to be happy by being selfish?"

He took her face in his hands and wished she could see his eyes clearly. "Listen to me, Aisha. We are not being selfish. We are just giving ourselves a chance to be happy. We both know we deserve it. Stop thinking about the others. Things will work themselves out, you'll see." He smiled again. "I have to tell you that the day you walked into my life and stole my wallet, you stole my heart then and there."

He sensed Aisha smiling. "I'm sorry I put you through so much, Lei."

"Nothing a small kiss wouldn't cure," he jested.

Slowly he drew her towards him and, for the first time in a very long time, kissed her with all the love he had in his heart. From the way she responded to him, his doubts were driven away. She was here to stay.

He is drunk.

Too late, he realized that. Mei Zuo held on to the post as his knees threatened to buckle beneath him.

Crap! he thought. He just might pass out in the middle of the street and no one would notice.

He looked across the street and realized it was a long way to his hotel. First he had to cross that road, then walk a few steps to the foyer... he's not too sure he could make it in time. He felt like lying down right here and now.

Slowly Mei Zuo slid down on the edge of the sidewalk, his back on the post, closing his eyes as he did so. He's going to have the worst headache tomorrow, he knew that.

But he really couldn't care right now. He just wanted to forget everything that has happened in the past few hours.

He just wanted to forget... even for a while...

His head was lolling to the side and he was already on the edge of unconsciousness when she found him.

Xiao Qiao had been worried ever since she received Jing's call informing her about Aisha being found and Mei Zuo leaving. Repeatedly she had tried Mei Zuo's cell phone, but he was not picking up. It was then that she decided to go to his hotel.

But he was not in his room. The valet told her he just came in to park his car in the hotel parking area, then left. She had scoured the nearby bars for the past hour until she found him sitting on the pavement, against the lamppost.

Xiao Qiao leaned down and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Mei Zuo?" she called out to him, but there was no reaction. He was just too drunk to hear or feel anything.

Helplessly, Xiao Qiao looked around. She could not simply drag him across the street and face the oncoming traffic. He's too heavy for her.

Spotting the bouncer in the nearest bar, Xiao Qiao walked up to him. "Sir, would you help me with my friend? He's too drunk."

Without second thought the bulky bouncer went and heaved Mei Zuo to his feet. Still no reaction. The bouncer shook his head.

"He's had too much to drink," he said, stating the obvious. With little or no effort, lugged Mei Zuo's unconscious frame up on his shoulders.

A few minutes later the bouncer deposited Mei Zuo on the bed in the hotel room and faced Xiao Qiao. "He's going to have a hell of a headache when he wakes up tomorrow morning," he said. "I suggest you don't leave him."

Xiao Qiao nodded and reached for a couple of bills from her purse, handing it to the bouncer. To her surprise, the bouncer shook his head.

"Take it," she insisted.

The bouncer would not. "There's no need for that, Miss," he said. "It is my job to haul drunk men around."

"B-but - "

"I suggest you watch him," he said, pointing at Mei Zuo on the bed. "If you did not find him in time, then he would probably wake up a victim of those thugs who live off the streets."

"Thanks," was all she could say as the bouncer left.

When she was left alone, she took a deep breath and closed the door behind her. With methodical movements she went to the bathroom and gathered some towels. Taking a small basin filled with lukewarm water, she went beside him and began wiping his face and neck with the wet towel.

Her heart ached as she beheld his face in repose. Jing told her on the phone that Mei Zuo faced a harsh realization earlier when Hua Ze Lei found Aisha.

"Mei Zuo," she whispered, knowing he could not really hear her. "Mei Zuo, don't worry. I'm here. I'm always here."

Suddenly his head moved, and her hand stilled when he spoke so softly. But she heard him all the same.

"Why...? Aisha, why...?"

Xiao Qiao swallowed and blinked back the tears, watching with hazy eyes as Mei Zuo settled back to sleep.

"I'm always here..."

The world is ending.

There was so much sound, like he was in the middle of a marching band and the drums are beating inside his head in a series of incoherent sounds that made no sense.

Mei Zuo opened his head and closed it again as a sharp jab of pain hit him between his eyes. But of course there was no such thing. It was just the sudden impact of the light coming from the window.

Slower now, he opened his eyes and squinted. He's in his hotel room. How he got here, he was not sure, but that is the least of his worries right now.

The bathroom seemed a long way away but he felt so filthy, the stench of liquor finally making him want to throw up. With a heavy head and even heavier feet he dragged himself inside the bath and stayed there for a good hour.

After taking a long cold shower, he felt slightly better in spite of a throbbing headache. He walked out of the bathroom and glanced at the time on the wall.

Three-forty in the afternoon. He had slept through the better part of the day.

Sighing, he walked to the bed and stopped when he saw a few tablets and capsules on the bedside table. Wondering who could have put it there, he downed a couple with the tall glass of cold water standing beside it.

Another surprise came when he saw two trays of room service meals at the side of the room, obviously his breakfast and lunch. They were already cold, but he did not really feel like ordering for another. He was too hungry to wait. He sat down and devoured his entire lunch and half of his breakfast.

When he was done, he felt slightly better, his headache now a dull throbbing, but nothing he could not handle.

An hour later, Mei Zuo made his way down on the hotel lobby to get some air. He was strolling on the foyer when he heard a voice behind him.

"Good to see you up already."

He turned and saw a huge man looking at him with a big grin on his face. "Were you talking to me?" he asked uncertainly.

The big man laughed, his chest booming with the sound. "Oh, I did not think you would remember me. You were so out of it last night you did not even feel me carrying you into your hotel room."

Realization struck Mei Zuo and he smiled. "Were you... you were the one who brought me in?"

To his surprise the big man shook his head. "No, someone else found you, and she came to me and asked for my help."

"She?"

Nodding, the big man said, "From the way she was fussing over you, I would think she was your girlfriend, but she was too distraught so I did not ask. Wait, don't tell me she was not your girlfriend?"

Mei Zuo had no ready answer. All he could do was to nod imperceptibly and say, "Thanks for letting me know." As an afterthought, he reached for his wallet. "I should compensate you - "

The big man shook his head. "Sheesh, she really must be your girlfriend. I am not going to accept anything from you, too. Consider it a favor."

Mei Zuo nodded, returning the wallet in his pocket. "If you need anything..."

"I don't think I am the one who would be needing any help. From the way you drank yourself into a stupor last night, I think you are the one who has the bigger problem here."

Mei Zuo's forehead creased in confusion, and the big man clarified his words. "Whatever it is, man, do not drink yourself to death. You were lucky last night, thanks to that pretty lady. You might not be so lucky next time."

Mei Zuo watched the big guy walk away. He was already at the exit when Mei Zuo remembered something. "Wait!"

The big guy turned around enquiringly.

"The lady," Mei Zuo said. "The lady who asked for your help. Did she say her name?"

The big guy shook his head. "She was quite anxious last night I think she forgot to introduce herself. But she was real beautiful, tall, quite thin, long hair... very soft-spoken."

Mei Zuo was not able to speak for a long moment as he realized who the other guy had just described. The big man quirked a brow.

"Reminded you of someone?" Mei Zuo nodded, and the big man sighed. "Don't let her go, man. She's quite a catch. See you around." With that, he left the building while Mei Zuo remained standing there looking after him.

Will this confusion ever end?

Hua Ze Lei walked out of the apartment, Aisha falling into step beside him.

"I'll walk you to your car," she said, but he shook his head.

"You're tired," he said. "You should go back inside and have some rest. I promise you would not be bothered for the next two days. I already told Yuki to clear your schedule."

She smiled, startling him. Slowly he smiled back, glad to see the old Aisha back, with that radiant smile. "What are you smiling about?" he asked, putting his arms around her waist and pulling her close to him.

"I feel bad," she said. "I have cancelled an entire week of appointments."

"They won't mind," he assured her. He will see to it himself.

"I promise I will make it up to you, and Artiste. I swear it."

"Just promise me you will rest," he told her sternly. But it did not work as she giggled.

"I am not sick, Lei," she said, and he shrugged.

"True, but you should still have some down-time."

"Yes, sir!" she said with a mock salute. They both laughed, and then she said, "Will you be coming over tomorrow?"

He nodded. "I'll bring breakfast," he said. "If you would let me join you, of course."

She stood on tiptoes and put her arms around his neck, speaking against his lips. "Of course I would let you join me for breakfast... and lunch... and dinner."

He laughed against her mouth. "Looks like I'd need a catering service, then." He captured her lips in a slow sweet kiss and when they let each other go they were both breathing so hard..

Suddenly he had an idea. "Pack some things. I am taking you somewhere special tomorrow."

"Where?" she asked suspiciously.

"It's a surprise," he said, "but you'll love it."

"You better make sure I will!" she threatened, but her excited smile betrayed her.

He pinched her nose and reluctantly released her. "I have to go."

She smiled at him coyly. "Are you sure you don't want me to walk you?"

He glared at her. "Stop being so bull-headed!" She lifted her arms in surrender.

"Alright, whatever you say." With a smile she watched as he walked away and stepped into the elevator. When it closed, she turned around and hopped back into her apartment, humming as she did so.

When the door to her apartment closed, a lone figure stepped from behind the corner at the end of the hall.

Mei Zuo stared miserably at the spot where Hua Ze Lei and Aisha stood a while ago. He had heard every word, seen every action.

He lost.

On the bed, staring at the ceiling, Aisha could not stop smiling.

Hua Ze Lei was right. So was Jing. She deserves this. Hua Ze Lei deserves this.

And maybe Hua Ze Lei was also right when he said things will work themselves out.

One of these days she knew she had to speak to Mei Zuo, just to clear the air. It won't be easy, but it is something she should do.

She should have done this a long time ago, but she was too much of a coward, then. It is only now that she realized that this had to happen. She only wished she did not put it off longer than she had. Then she would not have put Hua Ze Lei through hell.

Sachiko was the first to notice the silly grin on Hua Ze Lei's face as he strolled into the office after not coming in for the past two days.

She smiled. "You are alright, boss?" she asked.

As though realizing for the first time that he had company, Hua Ze Lei looked at Sachiko and nodded. "Never better, Sachiko. Anything for me?" he asked.

"Nothing urgent," she replied.

"Bring in the contracts," he said. "I'll go over them."

"But, boss... it's already five-thirty."

Hua Ze Lei glanced at his watch and nodded sheepishly. "Well, bring it in just the same, then you can go home."

Smiling, Sachiko nodded. The boss is in a good mood today, and he is actually smiling all over the place, a rare occurrence even for a great guy like him.

Hua Ze Lei sat down on his chair and spread his gaze around his office.

From now on, he thought, he would make sure everything will be alright.

Xiao Qiao laid her cell phone down, fighting the urgency and worry rising within her.

After hesitating and contemplating whether she should call Mei Zuo on his cell phone, she decided to call the hotel desk and inquire about the guest in one of their rooms.

That was the third call she made, and still the hotel clerk said Mei Zuo had not returned since he left a couple of hours ago.

What if he went out to drink again? Xiao Qiao sighed, hoping it was not as she thought.

Yet where else could Mei Zuo go to?

Maybe she should call the others and tell them. Dao Ming Si and Xi Men would know what to do.

But they are all the way in Taipei, and from what she heard, Dao Ming Si is getting frantic since Shancai left on a business trip, and Xi Men has his own issues.

Hua Ze Lei! He still considers Mei Zuo as his brother. Surely he would not turn her down if she asks for his help!

Just as she was dialing Hua Ze Lei's number, a soft knock came on the door.

"Who is it?" she called out.

"Room service!" came the reply of a hotel attendant.

Remembering she placed an order earlier, she stood up and opened the door, letting in the attendant with the trolley.

She does not really feel like eating, but she knew she had to.

At the sound of the door closing, she moved to the bed to resume calling Hua Ze Lei, but stopped when another knock came on.

Wondering what the attendant could have forgotten, she opened the door. "Did you forget - "

Her words died on her lips when she saw who was standing outside the door, looking thoroughly somber.

She simply stood there, unmoving, paralyzed, staring at him with her eyes wide. She could not believe he was here, standing before her.

Mei Zuo slowly lifted his gaze and looked at her for a long moment. Then a small, hesitant smile appeared.

"Hi."

Xiao Qiao felt utterly stupid, staring at him with her mouth open wide, but she could not find her voice.

"Is this a bad time?" he asked uncertainly.

At last her voice came back. She opened the door wider and spoke softly.

"Would you come in?" she asked.

He asked her again. "Would you let me?"

Xiao Qiao stepped back, and that was enough for her answer.

Mei Zuo stepped through the door and into her room.