Fool for Love (High Rise) Read online

  Oh yeah, Maddie thought, but just nodded before Alex, along with her impressive shoulder line, was swallowed by the crowd. Maddie continued her journey to work with a surprisingly sunny disposition.

  When she arrived at the office, her assistant Venus was already present, buzzing like a bee.

  “Morning, Maddie.” Venus was always around, lurking about, which was basically her job, but still, with Maddie’s recent indiscretions she might know more than was good for her. “June called in sick.”

  The mention of June’s name made Maddie stop dead in her tracks. “What do you mean sick? What does she have?” This was Hong Kong. You didn’t call in sick unless you were almost dead—and even then it was frowned upon.

  “She didn’t give me any details.”

  “When will she be back?” Relief—the guilty kind—washed over Maddie at the prospect of at least not having to avoid June today.

  “She said she’d call once she’d seen a doctor.”

  “All right. Keep me posted.” It was too much of a coincidence for June’s sick day to not have anything to do with last night’s events. Maddie closed the door of her office and wondered if she should call her. Better not when she’s at home, she concluded.

  ALEX

  “Is she blond? A bit uptight looking?” Nat asked. They munched on Thai salads, beef for Nat and pomelo for Alex.

  “I wouldn’t say uptight. She’s a banker though.” Alex couldn’t help but scoff at the word. She’d slept with her own private banker for six years and was adamant not to repeat that mistake.

  “I think I’ve seen her around with Isabella.” Nat bunched her lips together in a pout. “I’d never pegged her as gay though, but you know what bankers are like. Poker face until they die.”

  Alex puffed out a disdainful snort. “You’re preaching to the choir.”

  Nat dropped her chopsticks and patted Alex's hand. “It’s not because Rita was such a bitch that they’re all the same.”

  “I haven’t made this assessment lightly, Orange. I’ve thought long and hard about this. I even suffered for it. And the evidence is glaring. They’re all stone cold greedy bastards for whom nothing is ever enough—especially the women.” Alex leaned back and held her arms wide. “Look at me. I work out thirty hours per week, if not more. I have a pleasant enough personality. Some people might even call me ‘a catch’.” Alex curled her fingers into quotation marks. “But not Miss Rita Lowe. Oh no. She had to go and have a bit on the side.”

  “Rita obviously lost her mind.” Nat let her blue eyes glide over Alex's form. “You are a catch, and don’t let anyone ever tell you differently.” Alex wasn’t especially gunning for the compliment, she was more joking—or rather, venting—when she’d said it, but it was a welcome balm to her bruised ego.

  “And let’s be honest here.” Nat caught Alex's gaze. “Our neighbour does sound like your type.”

  “Nu-uh, I’m done with that type. I don’t want another Rita.”

  “I’m not saying you have to marry her. You can simply have a bit of fun.”

  Alex sighed. She’d never see eye to eye on this with Nat, who was always pushing her to have more fun.

  “So fundamentally different, but such good friends.” Alex didn’t feel like the twelve-hundredth quibble on this topic. She had three more classes to teach that afternoon, of which two back-to-back RPM sessions, and she needed to save her energy.

  “If the need ever gets too big, I’m in the next room.”

  Alex got to her feet and mock-slapped Nat over the head. “You disgusting specimen of a woman.” Not that Alex hadn’t ever entertained the notion. Nat was certainly pretty, with her big blue eyes and unevenly cut black bangs, but she wouldn’t ruin their friendship over a one-night-stand. And a relationship with someone like Nathalie Orange was out of the question.

  “That’s what friends are for.” Nat grinned broadly at her. Alex did love her dearly. She had been the one to pick up the pieces of Alex's broken heart after she found out about Rita and her Mandarin teacher Peggy.

  “What about Isabella?” Alex changed the subject. “I’ve had my suspicions about her.”

  “She’s a tricky one to figure out. I’ve only had a few short chats with her at The Bean.” Nat painted a pensive look on her face. She took matters of determining someone’s sexuality extremely seriously. “And everyone in body combat looks gay.” With her mouth drawn into a smirk, Nat locked eyes with Alex. “Especially you. You’re a beast up there with your little microphone and bumbag. A completely different person than the one sitting in front of me now.” She took a sip of her lime soda. “Don’t get me wrong. I love your fitness dominatrix persona. And I’m sure I’m not the only one.”

  “Shut up.” Alex dipped a finger into her glass of water and sprinkled some in Nat’s direction. “Anyway, I’ll have my revenge later. Pump or spin today?”

  “I’m not sure I want to take a class with you when you’re in this kind of mood. I fear I may live to regret it.” Nat bent over the small formica table. “You need to get some. Trust me, I know the signs,” she whispered. “And you may not want to see it that way but, from where I’m sitting, Blondie looks like one hell of a prospect.”

  Usually, Alex found Nat’s ceaseless innuendo amusing, but today it grated her nerves a little. Maybe because there was an inkling of truth to her statements. “Well,” she stood up. “We can’t all sit around and do nothing all day. I have to get back to work.”

  “I don’t feel spoken to in the least.” Without a care in the world, Nat folded one toned leg over the other and fixed her eyes on what looked to Alex like a sixteen-year-old girl who had just walked into the restaurant. “I do a lot of research for my next masterpiece in places like this.”

  “Good luck, Hemingway. See you in class later.” Alex left some bills on the table to pay for her share of lunch and left the diner.

  On her way back to the gym, she contemplated seeing Maddie the Banker again. Maybe if she shut off all her emotions—or if she had a lobotomy. Alex wasn’t one to make the same mistake twice. The first time around had hurt too much for that. And, unlike her flatmate, she didn’t have a problem with staying dry for months. She had other, more sane ways of draining the excess energy from her body. Hell, she used her body all day long. In bed, all she wanted was a good night’s sleep—which, due to Rita’s antics and the effect they had on Alex—was pretty hard to come by of late.

  MADDIE

  On Friday morning June was back at work, the pallid complexion of her skin contrasting with the big dark shadows under her eyes. Maddie’s first reaction was concern. She figured June had called in sick the day before because of Maddie’s umpteenth lousy attempt at a break-up. Now it appeared there really was something wrong with her and, apart from concern, Maddie had to deal with floods of compassion washing over her. She wanted to call June into her office, close the door, take her in her arms and tell her everything would be all right. Except, it wouldn’t. It never would.

  While squinting at a spreadsheet on her screen, her thoughts kept drifting to her sexy co-worker. Was it love? Maddie didn’t have a clue, which was probably a clue in itself.

  By eleven she couldn’t take it anymore and punched in June’s number.

  “Hey,” she whispered, even though she was hiding behind a closed door. “Could you come and see me for a second, please?”

  “Is it business or pleasure?” June’s voice sounded measured, her tone clipped, as if, this time, she’d really resigned herself to the fact that they were over.

  “I…” Maddie hesitated. “I just need to know you’re all right.”

  “I’m fine.” June sighed into the receiver. “I have a lot to catch up on. Is there anything else?”

  “No, not—”

  “Good.” With a cold click, June hung up.

  Maddie massaged her temples. Two years in Hong Kong and only some heart break to show for.

  Stretching her shoulder muscles, which were still slightly sore
from Wednesday’s brutal immersion into the world of group fitness classes, she wondered what she’d do this weekend. Probably come into work on Saturday to pick up the slack of the week. There was always slack to pick up. Always an excuse to not take a junk invitation or go hiking with Isabella. Then there was Sunday. How to get through that again?

  On impulse, she picked up her phone once more and called Isabella.

  “Let’s do something this weekend.”

  “Is that an indecent proposal?”

  Maddie chuckled into the receiver. She’d never really thought of Isabella that way. She might as well face it. Maddie had a serious penchant for Asian girls, which was probably the only reason she was still in Hong Kong. But she decided to play along. “It can be if you want it to be.”

  “Your blatant enthusiasm is really winning me over.”

  “Don’t take it too personally, please.”

  “No worries. And leave it to me. I have two clients to see Saturday morning, then I’m free. Maybe you should take Monday off.”

  “Impossible.”

  “I thought so. See you tonight for another round of combat.”

  “Can’t wait.”

  Maddie hung up and let her thoughts wander to Alex. She had hoped for an impromptu elevator encounter again this morning, but in a massive building like theirs you hardly ever rode the elevator with the same person twice.

  She had the same smoky eyes as June, but her hair was much too wavy to be exclusively Chinese.

  A beep from her private phone jerked her out of her reverie. A text message from June. It’s for the best we ended it. Trust me.

  One lunch and two more meetings and then the weekend awaited. She might even be frivolous and have a lie-in on Saturday.

  * * *

  Body combat hurt like hell. Clearly, Maddie’s muscles hadn’t recovered yet. If it weren’t for Alex's encouraging smiles, she would have given up. She wondered how Alex did it. How many classes did she teach per day? Per week? And what must that body look like underneath that skimpy tank top?

  “Left foot in front, please. Maddie?”

  While dreaming of Alex's abs, Maddie had missed the supporting leg switch. Alex nodded at her and, before shifting her focus to the group again, shot Maddie a quick wink. Maddie felt her cheeks flush but didn’t know if it was because of the strenuous workout or the special attention from Alex.

  “Hey, teacher’s pet,” Isabella teased, while reaching for her bottle of water. “Did I miss something?”

  “Teach likes her,” a voice whispered from behind. Stunned, Maddie turned around and stared straight into Nathalie Orange’s face. As the week had progressed, the days had gotten stranger and stranger, culminating in a body combat class with one of her favourite writers. Maddie had seen her around the neighbourhood, but, as if victim to a teenage crush, hadn’t had the nerve to address her. “She’s my roommate, so I know.” Nathalie grinned at Maddie. “Although she’ll be the last to admit it, so don’t press her on it.”

  “Enough talking, ladies,” Alex yelled from the front, her voice so naturally authoritative in front of a group. “This class is not over yet.” She clapped her hands. “Save the gossip for happy hour.” Did she just wink at Maddie again? “Come on. Front stance. And keep that guard up.”

  Maddie had even more trouble keeping up now. The instructor lived with Nathalie Orange. Clearly they weren’t an item. But still, she couldn’t help but look at Alex with whole new eyes. And by god, the hotness level in that flat. And Hong Kong was already so warm and humid.

  “Let’s ask them for a drink.” Isabella stood panting against the studio wall. Maddie had barely made it through class and had trouble catching her breath.

  “What?” She rasped.

  “It’s common knowledge Nathalie Orange can’t say no to a fine single malt and I happen to have a bottle of Cadenhead lying around.”

  Maddie slurped her water as if she hadn’t had any fluids in days. For all her shrewd banker brain cells, she was stumped for words.

  “I’m the boss of you this weekend. And we’re all neighbours. Why the hell not?” Isabella continued. “Hey, Nathalie.”

  In two strides, Isabella was by the writer’s side. Quick enough for Maddie to wonder if she had ulterior motives of her own.

  Nathalie looked up from her iPhone, which she appeared to be glued to. She probably had a hundred messages from admirers.

  “Can I interest you and your flatmate in a Friday evening sampling of some of the world’s finest Scotch?”

  Nathalie’s face brightened instantly, as if someone had said the magic word to her well-guarded kingdom.

  “There’s an offer I can’t refuse. Penthouse right?”

  “Correct. Let’s say in an hour, and don’t forget to bring your flatmate.”

  Alex was just approaching after showing an elderly lady the correct execution of the side kick a few times.

  “Good to see you again, Maddie.” She smiled with an energy Maddie had seldom, if ever, witnessed. “Good class, Isabella. Keep it up.”

  “These ladies have invited us for friendly neighbourly drinks. We can’t possibly decline. Imagine the awkwardness in the elevator if we did,” Nathalie chimed in.

  Maddie scanned Alex's face. Her first, purely physical reaction seemed to be cautious, doubtful even.

  “Sure, but I have a class tomorrow morning, so don’t count on getting me tipsy.” She jabbed Nat playfully in the bicep. “This one is a really bad influence.”

  Maddie was intrigued by the jesting interaction between the two friends.

  “Wonderful. See you in a bit.” Isabella said her goodbyes and Maddie sheepishly followed. She had trouble determining if it was because of meeting Nathalie Orange or because of Alex's intense bedroom eyes—and the two winks she had been the recipient of during class.

  ALEX

  Usually, Alex had the place to herself on a Friday night, resulting in a YouTube clip hopping frenzy of interviews with Charlize Theron—to whom Rita bore an uncanny resemblance. She could hardly pretend to have forgotten about Rita altogether, no matter how hard Nat was trying to push her into the arms of another woman. It had only been five weeks and two days.

  “Why do I have to change, anyway? We’re only going two floors up and I didn’t know you were such a stickler for decorum.” Alex asked Nat, who stood adjusting the collar of her shirt in the bathroom mirror.

  “It’s the penthouse, Alessandra. You can’t go to the penthouse in sweat pants. It’s not right.”

  “Well, excuse me, Miss Donatella Orange, but if I’m not welcome the way I am, I might as well stay in.” Alex slanted against the door frame of the bathroom. “And don’t call me Alessandra.”

  “Donatella is worse.” Nat stuck her tongue out and her reflection in the mirror looked ridiculous enough to coax a smile out of Alex. Nat turned towards Alex, an unexpected kindness in her eyes. “It’s just a drink. Nothing more. And no funny business on my part, I swear.”

  “Oh, all right.” Alex was getting sick of sulking at home, anyway.

  “Now put on those cheap H&M jeans. It shouldn’t be said out loud, but your ass looks absurdly good in them.” Nat took a step closer and put her hands on Alex's shoulders. “I know you’ve been hurt. Badly. But you’re hot stuff, Pizza. And the world is a better place with your ass in those jeans in it.” She quickly pecked Alex on the cheek. “And last I heard, looking good never hurt anyone.”

  “What am I supposed to say to that?” Alex fought the urge to draw Nat in for a hug.

  “Absolutely nothing. Come on, hurry up. I can taste that Scotch already.” Nat combed two fingers through her bangs and straightened her posture.

  “You’re so easy to get, Orange.”

  “If only someone could keep me, though.”

  * * *

  Isabella’s penthouse was a lavish affair. She’d set up a table on the roof terrace that overlooked all the Mid-Levels buildings below, backdropped by the harbour and another batch o
f illuminated skyscrapers in Kowloon. Maddie had dressed down in jeans and a plain white t-shirt. Isabella probably didn’t understand the concept and wore a loose-fitting but sumptuous purple and turquoise dress.

  Maddie got up and kissed Alex and Nat on the cheek. She smelled of coconut soap and expensive banker’s perfume.

  “I can’t handle hard liquor, so I brought this.” She pointed at an ice bucket holding a bottle of Veuve Clicquot.

  “Please, sit.” Isabella gestured to two chairs facing the magnificent skyline. “Enjoy the view while I get the goods.”

  “I’m surprised you ladies are still standing,” Alex tried to break the ice. “I must not have been hard enough on you.” She sat down and the thousands of scattered lights in front of her made her blink twice.

  “And I’m amazed you’re still up and about. You must be exhausted after a week of teaching classes like that.” Maddie fixed her greyish eyes on Alex. It was uncanny how much they reminded her of Rita’s. Alex had to look away for a moment, before being able to face Maddie and the intensity in her eyes again.

  “It’s my job.” Alex shrugged. “I’m used to it.”

  “We should go to the beach together some time,” Nat said. “Then you’ll be able to see Alex's body in full glory.” Nat accompanied her statement with a wolf whistle. “I’ve done some research and I can safely say Alex has the best body in Hong Kong. Period.”

  Alex sighed. So much for Nat not embarrassing her. “Good grief, Orange. Inappropriate should be your middle name.”

  Nat smiled her trademark smile and Alex felt the budding anger seep out of her. “She also can’t take a compliment. It’s a funny combination.”

  Alex felt Maddie’s eyes scan her torso. The feeling wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

  Isabella returned with the bottle of Scotch. That should keep Nat off her case for at least ten minutes.

  “That looks like a bottle only a serious collector would have.” Nat addressed Isabella. “Care to show me what else you’ve got?”