A Cougar Among Wolves (14 page)

“Yes, ma’am.” The lady nodded as she combed through Lien’s wet hair.

“Lien, I hope this cockamamie plan is gonna work.”

“It has to, Priscilla. I can’t bear another night without him. At the very least, I must try to give him peace.” Clinging to the armrests of the salon chair, she flinched as the clippings of her locks fell down her shoulders.

“This is such a drastic change for you.”

“My first haircut ever, but it won’t be too short.”

“Your hair was down to your waist.”

“I just want to look glamorous, like the starlets in Hollywood.”

“It will be exquisite. Tiffany does divine work.” Priscilla smoothed her pin curls.

“I have such butterflies dancing in my belly.”

“Listen, honey, I don’t want to see you get your heart broken.” Her friend took a seat in the adjacent chair.

“It can’t hurt any more than it has already.” Tears stung her eyes.

“To be so forward like this, with a man….” Priscilla whispered, glancing over her shoulder at the row of women chatting under the hairdryers.

“I realize it’s not proper for a woman to pursue a man, but I compromised my virtue a long time ago.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Lien bit her bottom lip and glanced up at the hairdresser’s reflection.

The stylist smiled and stepped back. “Excuse me, Miss Long. I need to check on the permanent wave I’m doing in the back. I won’t be but a moment.” Tiffany patted her on the shoulder before scampering off.

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“What haven’t you told me, Lien? I thought we were best friends.”

“It’s not a part of my life I’m proud of.”

“Young love? Is that when you and Shen…hmmm?” Priscilla crossed her arms.

“With him, it was love, but it was forbidden.”

“You mean, there was someone else before him?”

Lien shrugged and sank into her seat.

“You don’t have to worry. I won’t think less of you. I’m not uptight like those old biddies.” She motioned to the row of prestigious ladies in curlers.

“I know, but that isn’t why I’ve kept it to myself. It’s a very different culture in China.” Lien’s chest tightened. She straightened and sucked in a deep breath. “My parents were very poor and wanted a better life for me, and for them.”

“Yes?”

“They sold me to a man in my village with money and power.”

Priscilla gasped. “Sold? That’s just barbaric.”

“He already had two wives. I was to be his concubine.”

“He was married? Oh, my word.” Priscilla clapped her hand over her mouth.

“I realize it is not common knowledge in this country. But it is a way of life in China and offers the woman economic security.”

“She gives herself for money?”

“For a better life.” In fact, she’d welcomed the reprieve from poverty—never thought of any other way.

“Did you love him? How old were you?”

“He was a kind man, but much older than I. I did not love him as a wife would. I was just seventeen.”

“Oh, honey, I had no idea. So, how did Shen fit into all of this?”

“His family held a much higher social status than mine. One sunny morning, when I had gone to the market to shop, I bumped into these handsome twins. They were clumsy and bashful, tripping over their own feet as they made their way over to introduce themselves.” She picked at the sleeve of her salon smock, unsure how she felt at sharing these details with another for the first time. “Identical twins?”

“Yes, with the most remarkable green eyes.”

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“Like yours?”

“Similar, but theirs held an innocence that caught my attention. Tenderness and humility.” Lien smoothed her fingers through her hair. “It was love at first sight.”

“You fell in love with both of them?” Priscilla’s brows knitted.

“No, just Shen.”

“How can you fall in love with one when they were identical?”

Lien glanced up at the intricate white ceiling tiles as the pleasurable memories flooded through her mind. “The amber flecks in his green eyes mesmerized me. His shoulder-length black hair, his broad shoulders, and squared jaw. Exactly like his brother, but somehow…I can’t explain it. He was the one I was drawn to.”

“So, you were all hot and bothered by him, but you were…otherwise engaged?”

“That is correct. I slipped away whenever I could and spent time with the brothers. We took long walks through the forest, talked about anything and everything. I was so afraid we’d be discovered, but I couldn’t keep away from them…from him.”

“Please tell me you are about to get to the juicy part. I’m dyin’ here, doll.” Priscilla rested her elbows on her thighs and her face in her palms.

“My feelings for Shen grew until, one evening, the urge to go to him was so strong, I waited until everyone in the house was asleep and snuck away to his home. I found him in his family’s garden, watching the moon.”

“Then what happened?”

Lien glanced at the hairdresser who lingered by the sinks, chatting with a shampoo girl. “We made plans to run away to America together. We made love. It was the most beautiful experience of my life. I knew then we were meant to be together.”

“Wow.” Priscilla settled back into her chair. “What’s so bad about that?”

“We were discovered.” And she’d been dragged back to her home, but those humiliating details would stay her own.

“How awful!”

“And his brother died.”

Priscilla’s cheeks paled. “Oh, my God, how?”

“He had been ill.” The memory sent icy tendrils over her skin. “After his brother’s death, word of our indiscretion got around the village. Shen’s parents forbade him to ever 96

see me again.”

“Did your—I don’t know what to call him.”

“His name was Bolin.”

“Did Bolin find out about you and Shen?”

“In a small village, there is no such thing as a well-kept secret. When his first wife found out about my indiscretion, she planned to have me sold and shipped to the cotton mills. Bolin took mercy on me. He gave me money and sent me away. I eventually made my way to America where I used the funds to attend college to pursue my dreams of interior design.”

“Sounds like a gentle soul.”

“I will forever be grateful for his kindness and his clemency.”

“If anyone around here found out about tonight, or your past, the scandal would follow you everywhere.”

“I am told the 1Night Stand service is discreet, and I trust you to keep my secrets.”

“But still….” Priscilla continued with a hushed voice.

“My mind is made up. I need to do this. Nothing else worked.”

“If he hasn’t spoken to you in all this time, what makes you think this will be any different? Didn’t he refuse to see you?”

“He left for America shortly after Ling died. All my letters were returned, unopened. I went to his sister and explained, and she pled my case, but to no avail. In my heart, I feel this is the right thing. He will know, too, when we meet again.”

“Perhaps, because you are both in a new city, it will ease the burden.” Her friend arranged her thick tulle petticoat and pink polka-dot dress over her crossed legs.

“That is my hope. Gershom suggested this.”

“What did he tell you, anyway?”

“When we were going over the plans for the new hotel together, he told me to write a letter to Madame Evangeline, and to make sure I told her I came here from China and that my eyes are jade, and she would know what to do.”

“How do you know he is your match for the night?”

“Gershom said to trust him.”

“And, so…you do? Just like that?”

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“I can’t explain it, but, yes, I do. He was so sincere and wanted to help. Even though we have worked together for two months, he respected my wish and still hasn’t told Shen I’m here.”

“You, my dear, are either the bravest or craziest friend I’ve ever had.”

“The jury is still out on that.” She laughed.

Tiffany hesitated, several feet away. “Are you ready for me, Miss Long?”

“Of course, thank you.” She nodded, and the hairdresser returned to trimming her hair.

“I’ve always wanted a bouffant hairdo.” She shrugged her shoulders, eager to change the topic.

“He may not even recognize you.” Priscilla grinned. “As soon as we’re done, we have to meet Betty, the dressmaker. She needs one more fitting for tonight.”

“Another one? I thought my dress for the date was already finished.”

Priscilla reached into her handbag, plucked out a lighter and cigarette, and lit it with a deep inhale. “She wants to be sure it fits just right.”

***

Standing in the lobby of Priscilla’s hotel, Lien twirled in her outfit and waited for her friend’s opinion.

“You are gorgeous.” Priscilla brushed a tear from her cheek.

“Thank you for all your help. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”

“My pleasure, I just wanna see you happy, doll.” Priscilla patted her arm and glanced down at her wristwatch.

“Excuse me, Ms. Black?” An older gentleman in a burgundy uniform approached.

“Yes, Alfred, what is it?” Priscilla spun around and faced the concierge.

“There is an urgent call for you, a Mr. Gershom Stone.”

Priscilla bit her lower lip. “Yes, yes, I will be right there.” She shooed the man away with a frantic wave of her hand.

“Gershom?” Lien stared at her. “Why would he call you?”

“Uh….” She choked on a deep inhale of her cigarette. “He put in a bid for the job on building the next hotel.”

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“Are you okay?”

“Yes, just went down the wrong tube.” She rubbed her chest and extinguished her smoke in the ashtray on the desk behind her.

“How did he know about it? We haven’t sent out the notice yet.”

Priscilla said, “Um, I sent him a letter to invite him to submit a tender. He is the most renowned architect in the city. You said so yourself.”

“I did?”

“You will be late if we keep chattin’. Is that what you want?” She huffed.

“Late?” Lien glanced to the grandfather clock in the corner of the lobby.
Quarter to
six already?

“Your taxi is outside the door. It is already paid for.”

“Did you get it?”

“Oh, yes, here.” Priscilla collected it from the desk and handed Lien the item from the flower shop. “Why did you want this?”

“Madame Evangeline said in her letter to carry a purple orchid so he will know I am his date when I approach him in the restaurant.”

“Subtle, yet sophisticated. I like it.”

“Orchids. I love them.” Lien sniffed back the building tears.

“All right, be on your way before you ruin your makeup.” Her friend draped the ginger mink shawl around Lien’s shoulders and escorted her to the exit. “Have fun.” She held up her crossed fingers as Lien headed out the revolving door.

***

The maître d' greeted her at the door. “Do you have a reservation, miss?”

Lien nodded. “I’m here to meet someone for dinner. A man.”

“Very good, miss. What is his name?”

She sucked in a breath. “Shen Li.”

“Ah, yes. He is awaiting your arrival in the cocktail lounge. Follow me, please.”

“He’s…here?”

“Yes, he arrived fifteen minutes ago.” The salt-and-pepper haired gentleman waved 99

her forward. A sudden chill crept down her spine, and she gasped.

“Miss?” With widened eyes, he gripped her elbow and supported her as she teetered in her patent leather heels. “Are you ill?”

“No, no, it’s just that, he’s early….” She fought to steady her breath. “It’s happening so fast.”

The man crinkled his brows. “What would you like me to do?”

“I’m fine.”
Don’t be a coward, Lien. This is what you have waited years for.
“Bring me to him. Thank you.”

As they crossed the room, Lien eyed the tables filled with ladies in colorful lace and taffeta, men in swagger suits and fedoras with slender neckties. The rustle of crinoline and clanging of glasses filled the air, amid laughter and chatter of the patrons having cocktails.

“I believe, that is Mr. Li at the table by the window?”

She gripped the purple orchid close to her pounding heart. “Yes, that’s him, thank you.”

As the man excused himself to attend to another couple at the entrance, Lien forced her shoulders back and approached the table with minute steps. When she reached his side, she lifted the orchid and cleared her throat.

Glancing up at her, he shoved his chair back and stood. His mouth dropped open.

“You?” He reached over and trailed the pads of his fingers along her jaw.

“How I’ve missed you, Shen.”

The tender stare she had longed for was soon replaced with narrowed eyes and a grimace as he jerked away. “No, it can’t be.”

“Please, hear me out.”

“Why are you here?” he demanded.

“You wouldn’t answer my letters. You left me no other choice.”

“For good reason.” He tugged his wallet from his coat pocket. “I won’t discuss this in public.” He dropped money on the table and slammed his half-empty glass on top of it.

“Please, don’t be angry.”

“I said, not here.” He gripped her elbow and half-dragged her across the room. Her awkward heels wobbled as she struggled to meet his pace.

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“You’re scaring me.” Lien stumbled and yanked away from his grasp. “Stop, Shen, now!”

The whole lounge went deathly silent as all eyes fell on them.

Shen straightened his posture and adjusted his tie. “My apologies, Miss Long,” He waved her ahead of him.

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