All I want for Christmas is… Part 6
Hong Kong… December 19th
Ryu walked out of the bustling airport terminal, and into the city. Everyone around him was busy doing last minute shopping for Christmas. Ryu had a lot of time to think on his long trip over from the states. He recalled something Ken had done for Eliza when they were courting.
He decided it would be best if he got a room and freshened up for his meeting with the women who he was about to give his heart to. After a quick shower, Ryu walked down a crowded street market. He examined each booth looking for something in particular.
Finally coming upon such a booth, he procured a single long stemmed red rose. Making his way out of the market, he walked on towards his destination.
Ryu felt his hands start to sweat a little from anticipation as he neared the corner of Chun li's apartment. Walking into the parking garage, he quickly scanned the parked cars to be sure hers was here as well. He found her car parked close to the elevator that led to the rooms above.
He silently fidgeted with the green wax paper as the elevator climbed to the top floors of the building. Stepping off the elevator, Ryu felt as if his heart lodged in his throat as he neared her door.
Swallowing hard and summoning up his courage, he lightly rapped on the door. Several minutes passed with no answer. He knocked slightly harder this time around.
'Maybe she did not hear the first knock.' He thought to himself.
Again, there was no answer to the door. Knocking a third time, he patiently waited. The elevator doors opened, and an elderly Chinese woman stepped off with a small bag of groceries in her arm. She slowly approached Ryu, and went towards the apartment door directly across from Chun li's door.
Just as she was about to put her key into the lock, she turned towards Ryu.
"Are you here to see the young lady who lives there?" She asked.
"Yes." Ryu replied politely.
"I am sorry sir, but she is not here. She asked me to look after her place while she's away for Christmas."
"I saw her car in the garage down below, and thought she might be here." Ryu said feeling a bit uneasy.
"No, she left with her bags when a young Chinese man came couple of days ago. She looked really excited when they left. It's about time that young lady found a man, and such a handsome one too."
Ryu was stunned as if someone had just ripped out his beating heart from his chest. The woman continued to talk even though Ryu could barely listen to what she said.
"That girl was always so cheerful on the exterior, but deep inside I could tell that she was very sad. She genuinely looked very happy. I am so glad for her. Well, I must put away my groceries. Good day to you young man." She finished opening the door.
The lady closed the door behind her as Ryu stood silently starring at Chun li's door. His heart was shattered from the news he has just received.
"I'm too late." He whispered finally to no one in particular.
Looking down at his hand, he noticed a small trickle of blood where he had unknowingly clenched his fist on the thorns of the rose and had broken the stem in half.
He bent forward and gently placed the broken rose at the base of Chun li's door. Then he softly walked away with a heavy heart towards the stair well. Still muttering to himself…
"I am too late…"
To be continued…