Do You Remember? (II) + (II)

In the darkness, Chang slipped back into her memories of the past. They were a shield to block out her reality.

The reality of the bowl of water that was half drank and needed to last her however long, even though she still felt parched. The painful cramps in her stomach from not having eaten from however long. The pain and numbness in her arms and wrists from the rope binding her and her time on the truck. The smell from the far corner where she had had to relieve herself after holding to the point of pain. The sense of hopelessness and dread that smothered every moment she was aware of. The memories were a cocoon protecting her self that was feeling more and more fragile.

Everything carried a soft glow, and it was almost blurry, as if seen through wet glass.

She had been in the middle of a large party after a successful interview. Chang had had far too many beers at the urging of her coworkers and the clients, as well as a few shots of deadly shochu. Every time there was a "cheers" more alcohol was imbibed. After a while everyone at the table, including herself,was having a merry time, laughing and joking, and back patting.

There was an option for karaoke where they were at, and when someone brought up karaoke, she instantly threw her hand in the air. Chang declared she would love to, and would even start it off. The men at the table surrounding her all nodded and encouraged her to go on.

She rifled through the expansive catalog of songs, which thankfully held some English songs as she was not as familiar with most of the Chinese ones.

It was also one she was incredibly familiar with and loved and her dad had as well. Her dad who had passed away only a year and a few scant months ago.

Horns came on as the screen displayed "I'm so so so tired of being alone"- al green. Like time had rolled away she let loose and belted it out like she used to in the car with her dad. When the song came to an end she felt like her eyes were sparkling and exhilated. The rest of the party gave her a stunned expression in response to her wide grin. A slow clap had started out from behind her at the entrance, startling her.

Chang turned to see probably the most ridiculously handsome man she had ever seen. She even gave herself a little pinch to see if he was really real. Tall, broad shouldered, bronzed skin, a strong nose and jawline, soft kissable lips that smiled at her, and with thick eyebrows over a pair of dark intense eyes that were locked onto hers. It was like a one hit knockout in one look.

It took all the will power that she had to not let her jaw hit the floor, or drool!

"I don't mean to interrupt, I was merely entranced by this young ladies voice." Even his voice! It was damn hot butter on bread! Rich and smooth and flowed so good!

"Why Mr. Liang this is a surprise, are you here accompanying CEO Liang, would you care to join us this evening?" Her boss turned to the man and very politely invited him while wringing his hands together.

The man called Mr. Liang declined thanking him.

"If I may, I would like to steal this young lady away for a moment of her time. "

'A moment? I'm all yours for as many moments as you want!"

"Of course of course! Miss Chang please accompany Mr. Liang for whatever he may need." His eyes also told her, 'and establish a business connection with him for us!'

"Yes, sir." she bowed her head politely to her boss, and handed someone else the microphone, before turning to the man leaning on the door frame sizing her up. She smiled politely at him, "please lead the way Mr. Liang."

Mr. Liang led her down the hallway from the private rooms to the open bar.

"Would you care for a drink miss?"

"I think I've already drank enough for ten people, thank you, and I should not have anymore."

"Very well. I would like to make a proposition to you, but I would first need to ask you a few questions." The man ordered a scotch on the rocks and held the glass with a few long fingers, swirling it. He stared down at the glass in his hand, his long lashes casting shadows on his cheeks.

'Woah how can a guy even have such long nice, lashes.' "Fire away!" Chang made a motion with her hand prompting him as she winked.

The sculpture of a man looked back up at her, stealing her breath. At close quarters she got a good look at his eyes, they were an interesting brown with either flecks of gold or amber in his eyes. They mesmerized her so much she almost forgot to breathe.

'Damn I thought they only made them so good in the magazines and movies! Ow, God spent a little extra time on this one, it's almost not fair.'

"Has anyone ever told you miss Chang that your eyes are the most enchanting shade of blue?" She was so lost in his features that she almost did not hear him at first.

"Huh? Oh a few times yes, thank you." 'Yeah real smooth there girl, get it together!' Chang chastised herself at getting so tongue tied in front of this man.

"Are you currently seeing anyone at the moment?"

'OH shit is he asking me out?! DearBuddha, Jesus, whoever, thank you for finally answering my prayers!'

"No, I am not." 'Good, much smoother that time!'

"Really, a beautiful woman such as yourself, is unclaimed, the men in this world must have gone blind." He gave her a charming smile as he said that.

'I don't know about the men of the world, but I may just go blind!'

She had never had anyone throw such lines at her and couldn't help but blush and avert her gaze from his million megawatt smile.

"I don't know about all that, I've just been really focused on my work and schooling, so I've just never really had the time.."

"Heh, cute." Chang heard the man chuckle across from her and looked up at him nervously. "Are you always this expresive?"

'wait, is that a compliment or not?' "I don't know, I guess." She pulled one of her curly locks over her shoulder and fiddled with it nervously. Chang had no idea what to say or do in a situation like this.

"Well Miss Chang I will cut straight to the chase. I am in need of a marriage partner for my own reasons. It would be a contractual marriage for a set period of time, which we can come upon mutually agreeable set of time. Of course I would provide ample compensation for your time, as any lucrative exchange does. I only have a limited amount of time, if you agree, I will need you to make your decision shortly. " He clasped his hands together and looked at her seriously.

... 'wait, what?' it took a second after hearing his words for her to truly comprehend them. 'I've never even had a first boyfriend, or a date, or anything, did I just seriously get proposed to?!?'