My dear Frenchman is back and calling. True to his word he didn't return to Beijing before I did but now he's back and he wants our old relationship to resume.
I arrived for lunch yesterday at a five star hotel over in the west of the city. We have been there a number of times for our little tête à tête amoureux and the Frenchman always takes a suite so that we can have some privacy. I was whisked up by one of the managers to the room and deferentially escorted in. God knows what they think we do in here... we always eat our full meal, the beds are never rumpled and the towels unused but they're under strict instructions not to enter from coffee to the time we leave.
The Frenchman stood to greet me as he always does. He kisses me, once, twice, thrice, as usual, and holds my chair out for me. I sit and beam at him, happy to catch up with my dear friend. Yes, my petit cadeau is sitting on a discrete chair in the corner of the room.
We speak of nothings for the first part of the meal but once the tables are cleared and we're left with coffee and cake the real conversations begin.
"You've gained weight, Coquette, you bloom, you glow. Is your Alpha going to be a happy man in nine months?"
"Lord no. I'm just glad to be back in Beijing."
"As am I. So no more silly boys, ma petite? No more of that one very silly boy?"
"No, that's all over thank god. Mind you I did get turned down pretty horribly the other week." I briefly described the situation to the Frenchman and he laughed and tutted in the correct places.
"I don't know. My moral compass always points to whatever I want and I assume every one is the same. I never expected to be turned down for morals." I made a face as I finished. The frenchman leaned over and patted my hand.
"My chère amie don't you understand that my honor and morals is what prevents us from going any further?" He looked so sweet and ernest when he said it. Does he truly believe I would leave Alpha for him? Surely not.
I took his hand in mine and kissed it on the knuckle.
"Dear friend don't you understand what your friendship means to me? I love you my dear Frenchman but I am not in love with you nor do I feel that way about you. It is not your honor or morals that protects me from your desire but indeed it is my desire to keep you just as you are: a kind and wonderful friend who lends me support when I need it most and asks for nothing in return. Do you understand how rare that is? Especially between a man and a woman. Is that not enough for you?"
The Frenchman stilled. He was both sad and thoughtful as he mulled over my words. He pulled his hand away from mine and at length he laughed a small shaky laugh that suggested his next words may be part lie.
"Of course it is enough for me. An old man can certainly dream that a young woman is just waiting to be swept off her feet can't he?"
"I already have been swept off my feet my friend."
Lunch concluded quickly after that and I left with my present. I sat in the car and unwrapped my gift. It was a beautiful silver anklet, a slave bangle as they were known back in my colonial days, that jingled softly with each movement. I wonder if it was supposed to be a message?
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