Mafia Kings: Roberto: Chapter 45

The blue Toyota Camry was waiting outside the Continental Hotel when I came down at midnight.

I couldn’t stand the hoodie and jeans, so I wore my suit instead. I figured there was no way Mei-ling would see me in the dark, so it would be safe enough.

Wearing my normal clothes again was sweet relief.

However, my driver didn’t recognize me. I had to go up to his window and tap on the glass.

At first he did a double-take – and then he made a face like, Not bad.

Once I got in the backseat, I handed him a 1000-dollar bill to start things off.

“Take me back here,” I said via the translator and gave him the club’s address.

The driver said something into the phone.

Nice clothes.

I chuckled. “Thank you.”

Twenty minutes later, we were sitting in the alleyway across from De Sade.

I kept feeding the driver 500-dollar bills as I watched limousines, luxury cars, and cabs drop off well-dressed men and women.

At one point, the driver asked for the phone and spoke into it.

I’m going to take a nap. Keep track of the money and give it to me later.

I said “Okay,” and he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

Even though it was 1 AM, there was no chance I would fall asleep. Too much adrenaline was coursing through my veins.

I kept revisiting the scene from Mei-ling’s apartment and wondering how our reunion would play out.

Shortly after 4 AM, the silver convertible pulled out of the underground parking.

I feverishly tapped the driver’s shoulder, startling him awake. After a few seconds of disorientation, he started the engine and we drove after the Bentley.

“Stay far behind her,” I ordered.

He said something in Chinese – probably What?

I translated the phrase and showed him the phone.

“Okay, okay,” he said curtly.

We followed Mei-ling through the city and up the tree-lined road to the Summit, where we saw her turn in.

“Park here,” I said, pointing at the curb. He understood what I wanted without the translator.

I started to get out when the driver began to yell.

I looked back at him in confusion – then realized I hadn’t paid him for the last three hours.

I shoved a fistful of bills at him, then said, “Stay here,” as I pointed down at the ground.

“Okay,” he said happily as he counted the money.

I walked out into the darkness and stared at the upper floors of the Summit.

The building was a shadow against the dimly lit sky. There were only a few visible stars; everything else was drowned out by the lights from Hong Kong.

Mei-ling was on the 57th floor. I counted up from the ground and got reasonably close.

Suddenly, one of the apartments lit up a floor below what I’d thought was the 57th.

I saw a figure move past the window.

The silhouette was too far away to make out details – but it was her. I knew it.

My heart skipped a beat in my chest… and then stuttered again when the light went out.

Soon, cara mia, I thought silently.

Soon you’ll be mine again.