Face Time – Chapter 18

Lee

I can’t wait to get out of Pune and back to Mumbai so I can head home. I used to love coming here, but a million little things are annoying me this time around. The weather is hot and humid, over a hundred degrees every single day, and I’m constantly sweating through my suits. The hotel I stay at, The J.W. Marriott, is so packed with people that wireless connectivity is sporadic. I try to FaceTime with Laura this morning, and we get disconnected four times before we give up.

—-

Laura Merchant

I wasn’t expecting I wouldn’t be able to talk to you.

I’m kinda heartbroken :(

—-

Lee Park

I can’t wait to leave India. I’m so sorry.

I miss you.

—-

Laura Merchant

I miss you too.

I didn’t get a chance to tell you all your gifts came.

…

—-

A photo comes through next of the dark blue sari I bought her with the twenty thin, gold bangle bracelets on top of it. But my eyes narrow at the other things I bought her that came separately: a Hitachi magic wand and a set of attachments. Fuck this damned hotel and it’s spotty internet. Getting up from the bed, I pace to the door and back, breathing deeply. After watching her get off the last time we chatted, I thought of nothing else. Her face, her voice, and the sleepy and satisfied moan she had after she was done. I’ve dreamt about having sex with her every single night.

I don’t know what came over me. I’m not one to talk dirty or describe my fantasies, but I told her how I would kiss and taste every inch of her body. I’d drag my tongue across her nipples until she was wet. I’d want her to ride me and push against her G-spot until she came. I’d haul her up on her knees and come at her from behind, grabbing her hair and tugging. “I love that, Lee.” Damn, I had the most generic sex on the books with Sandra and she hated anything out of the ordinary. She didn’t even like when I went down on her, which is something I love to do.

—-

Lee Park

Since we can’t talk, I want you to unpack that wand and use it.

—-

Laura Merchant

Yes, sir.

I had a huge fight with my mother the other night and she hasn’t been home since.

I need a distraction.

—-

Lee Park

I’m sorry this has been so hard on you.

I can’t wait to talk to you when I get home.

So, for now, turn on The Beatles and get to it.

—-

Laura Merchant

You’re so bossy ;)

I love it.

—-

Lee Park

I want to make sure you’re sexually satisfied until I can take care of you.

Of course, I could always use the wand on you.

—-

Laura Merchant

I have a smile on my face a mile wide.

I love kinky sex.

I can’t believe I just told you that.

—-

Lee Park

I want you to tell me everything.

—-

Laura Merchant

I will :) Ok, I’m off to test the merchandise.

Xoxo

—-

Lee Park

Think of me, gorgeous. Xoxo

—-

Well, that settles it. I can’t talk to her. I can’t see her. And yet there’s nothing I want more than her right now. I have two hours to kill before work. This was the only morning this week we could FaceTime. Blood is rushing in my ears, my breathing labored and frantic, so I open the Photo Library and look at the picture I took of Laura on our first date. I was close to her for a few hours. I held her hand. I kissed her. It wasn’t just a dream. She’s real, and she’s waiting for me an ocean away. I have to do something about my job. I don’t think I can keep up this instability and traveling much longer.

My running gear is hanging up in the bathroom from the last time I ran and then came back and rinsed it all out. I set my phone down, get dressed, and dig through my suitcase for my swim trunks. I’ll go to the hotel gym and run out all my frustration on the treadmill and swim before work.

I’m 3k into a 5k run when my phone buzzes on the treadmill with two new texts.

—-

Sandra Kwon

Min-Yung says you’re in India. I want you to call me when you get back to Seoul. Stop ignoring me.

—-

I erase the text, and say, “Fuck you,” to my phone that keeps letting her text me. The guy at the treadmill next to me glances my way.

Back in Seoul, Min-Yung is talking to Sandra again. She’s a kind woman in her mid-fifties, fluent in English, with short, steel-gray hair, a widow whose husband used to work for the firm. I would be grateful for her if she didn’t interfere so much in my private life.

—-

Chul-Soon Park

Just finished closing arguments. Should hear back in a few days. Dad.

—-

Why does he always sign-off his texts with “Dad”? I know it’s him. Old people. I slow the treadmill to a comfortable walking pace and write him back.

—-

Lee Park

Fingers crossed for you.

—-

Chul-Soon Park

I feel good about it. We presented a strong case.

—-

Lee Park

I’ve been following the news. You’re favored to win.

—-

Chul-Soon Park

How are things with Laura? I saw the photos you sent. She’s lovely.

—-

Lee Park

Really good. Thanks. I was thinking about inviting her home this summer.

—-

Chul-Soon Park

I’d love to meet her. Jin has mentioned it too. Your mother is very nervous.

—-

Lee Park

You know I love mom. But I can’t please her.

—-

Chul-Soon Park

Ok. I’ll talk to you soon.

—-

My father’s never been good at negotiating between me and my mother. He would rather we all get along naturally. When my mother and I used to argue at home, he would pick up whatever he was doing and leave the room. Some time later, I’d find him out in the garden or the car gone.

Getting back to clearing my head, I increase the pace on my treadmill and set my phone down. Two more days in Pune, then back to Mumbai, straight to the airport and back home to Seoul.