Started With a Lie

Chapter Twelve

           Lee gives his name and party name and the person at the desk gives him a room number. He walks to the elevator and I step in with him. The doors close and leave us to ourselves.

           “Who’s Mark?” I blurt out.

          Lee looks a bit taken back. “Nobody important.”

           “Oh,” I say, disappointed into not being able to get information out of Lee. If he wouldn’t tell me, I’d have to take matters into my own hands.

         “Now, remember everything on the script? The people and what you’re supposed to say to them? Don’t mess up on this. It’s too important,” Lee informs me. “Just remember the person I told you about. Madam Jin.”

           “Thanks for the encouragement. You’re such a good boyfriend,” I say sarcastically. “No pressure, right?”

           “I’m serious, Ivory.”

        “Sorry,” I say as the elevator doors open and lead us down a hallway. There are two, white French doors at the end of the hallway—where I’m guessing we’ll be going. There are two guards at the doors and they open each door for us.

         The first thing I notice is an orchestra playing on the side of the large hall. Violins and flutes. There are people chatting and drinking wine. Some are dancing in the middle. The room has large windows draped with light pink curtains. There is a large chandelier on the ceiling. Snacks and drinks are served by waiters, who walk around holding large trays. It smells delicious.

           “You ready?” Lee asks me as he slips his hand into mine.

          I’m surprised at first but then realize we’re a couple now—well, pretend couple. I firmly hold his hand. “Ready.”

           Lee leads me to people I should talk to. We talk to non-important people about small things. We try to dodge their questions about our relationship as most as possible. Lee does most of the talking, thankfully. It’s mostly talk about business anyways.

        And then it’s my turn.

          We’re walking towards Madam Jin—an important lady that’s supposed to make an upcoming business deal with Lee’s company. I don’t know who she is personally but she’s the most powerful Asian lady in the economy. She runs almost every chain of business in Korea, China, and Japan. I heard she even controls Thailand resorts and what not.

          “She’s in her late fifties but she’s not to underestimated,” Lee had warned me earlier. As I grew closer to her, I got more scared. “Just act like a couple in front of her. She’ll be leaving for Japan in a couple of days, anyways.”

          “Hello, Madam Jin,” Lee greets politely. He takes Madam Jin’s hand and kisses it. “It’s been a while.”

         Madam Jin doesn’t crack a smile with her completely red lips. She has thick eyeliner, which makes her eyes seem even scarier. Her long, black hair is into a tight bun at the top of her hair. She’s wearing a dark purple dress with a fur coat on. “Lee,” she says. “It has been a while.”

            “Yes, it has, Madam Jin.”

            She turns to me and my eyes widen. “Is this the girl you were talking about?” Madam Jin moves closer to stares straight at me.

            “Yes, Madam Jin, it is. Isn’t she beautiful?” Lee says, a nervous look on his face. He puts an arm around me and squeezes.