Waiting

The cold moist air greeted Li Hua and Chang, welcoming them home to San Francisco. Chang rolled her mother out of the terminal and to the street to flag down a taxi to return home.

For the first time in her life, she felt that it wasn't her home anymore. Her home somehow had changed from a place to a person.

'Just when did that happen?' As she stroked the ring that lay on her chest on a strap, Chang tried to take comfort from it. It was one of very few things she had from him, and she had couldn't bear to have left it with everything else.

After filling through the forms Liang Ju-Long gave her two minutes to gather her stuff and to change into western clothes. As she had changed into the pink dress Jian had bought her right before they came, Chang looked at the shining ring on her finger.

'I can't leave this..' Looking around she spotted one of his shirts that had a section that laced up in the front. 'Perfect.'

Chang stripped the thin strip of leather from the front of one of his shirt and hung the ring on it around her neck. After tying the neck ribbon on the dress, her ring became perfectly camouflaged.

After changing, she barely managed to grab the picture her mother had given her before they were rushed out of the palace.

As they were rushed out, Hao Jin Ying insisted on accompanying them in the car that sat out front of the palace squishing herself into the open vehicle.

The car barely squeezed through the narrow streets of Muzdahir headed west then north. After traveling a ways away they came to a a small purposeful clearing. On a small secluded airstrip sat two small planes, both black.

LiHua was ushered onto one of the planes first, then Chang was pushed along after her, Liang Ju-Long followed behind them both, herding them in. After he went in Hao Jin Ying started walking up the steps when she was stopped by Liang Ju-Long.

"You have accompanied us far enough Miss Hao. You are an employee of my son and should remain here."

"CEO Liang has instructed me to accompany Mrs. Dumont, my work detail includes assisting her as her personal nurse." Hao Jin Ying pressed her case, trying to step inside.

"That will no longer be necessary, you may consider yourself relieved of this duty. If you wish to continue you may find yourself relieved of a position within Liang International as well.

"If I remember correctly, you have a sister and a nephew as your closest of kin, is that right?"

Hao Jin Ying was startled by the sudden change. "Yes that's correct sir."

"It's very hard for a single mother to make it on her own is it not."

Hao Jin Ying answered more cautiously, wondering what the older man was alluding to. "Yes, it can be, I assist her as best as I can though, sir."

"Ah, what a kind person you are to care so for her. It would be best if you continued to keep her in your thoughts as you act."

Hao Jin Ying paled, realizing the unspoken threat laced with his words. She looked at LiHua and Chang, her eyes starting to shine.

"Please, just let us say goodbye, before we go, just one minute please." Chang pleaded with Liang Ju-Long realizing they might never see Jin Ying again.

"Make it expeditious." The tall man moved aside and Hao Jin Ying embraced the two of them.

"We'll miss you."

"I'm sorry I can't come with you now, I'll do what I can so that we can come see you soon."

"Please do, and tell Jian the truth for me please."

"I will, stay safe you two."

"You too Jin Ying."

"Thank you Xiao Ying." Li Hua smiled with tears in her eyes as they separated. As they left the ground Chang looked to where Hao Jin Ying stood with the soldiers slowly becoming the size of an ant.

In the distance she could barely see the crawling estate of the palace on the plateau that she had come to love. She placed her hand on the window touching the image through the glass as it shrunk.

'Good bye..'