Feeling a peculiar longing, I ordered ice-cream, and the others followed suit with their choice of dessert; I ate gallons of ice-cream in my earlier years, but rarely now, but enjoyed immensely the one or two times a year I had a momentary craving: now was such a time, and as Thinh delivered it to the table in front of me, I spooned a mouthful and let it slide on my tongue and flow creamily down my throat, my eyes closed in delicious concentration. Oh Anh said Tuan from opposite that was so sexy, watching you do that! Eat some more, please.”

I did, swallowing slowly each mouthful, and then dripping the last spoonful onto my tongue, drop by drop. With my head tilted upwards, I felt Tuan’s foot reaching up my legs to my groin, but already a hand was there, but it wasn’t Bo she was clapping her hands, Liem was too drunk to see or do anything, and I savoured the lingering taste of the ice-cream as I felt a soft body down against my back and knew, then, it must be Thinh. Oh, Anh, I will remember what ice-cream does for you: this is so big, it must be full of cream Thinh whispered in my ear before gliding away, and Tuan’s foot now reached the same mound of my pants, and she squealed in glee Oh, Anh, you must really like ice-cream want some more? I shook my head, as much to say no as to try and clear it. I looked around no Thinh did I dream or am I drunk or didn’t Tuan or Bo see her? I sat up straight in my chair, asked Tuan and Bo if they had finished, as we should get Liem home, so we agreed and I motioned for Thinh to get the bill, as I passed her on my way to the toilet again, telling her I could find it this time, and smiling when she asked are you sure, Anh? I returned, paid the bill, tipped Thinh and the restaurant generously and received a tickle of fingers with her thanks, See you soon, Anh I hope. Bo and Tuan struggled up, and I let them support Liem, but she suddenly laughed, said I was just resting! and walked out quite well by herself, while we all laughed and I sidled past Thinh with a smile. We took a taxi and I was dropped off at the hotel first, saying good night to the others with kisses on cheeks, and reminding Liem we had serious matters to work through in the morning. Business-like, she said she would have a car pick me up at 08.30, and they all said Thanks, Anh, we have had a good day and evening. I picked up my key and went up to my room; 8.30p.m only, so figured to watch TV, and I took off my clothes; as I folded them, remembered the card Thinh had put in my pocket. I pulled it out; it was a card for the restaurant and she had added her name and mobile number. I held it in my hand, together with my mobile, as I removed my pants and got a beer, deciding to sit out on the balcony with nothing on nobody either side after I had checked. It was too late to phone Yen, as I had planned, but after I put Thinh’s number into my memory, I pressed call’; she answered after two rings, said Hello? questioning tone in her voice as she wouldn’t know it was me. It’s Anh Steve, em, do you remember me? She laughed Ah let me see….You had nice Levi’s and a nice shirt on, long hair, brown, glasses, sandals which you took off whenever at the table, and a big something in your jeans. You also couldn’t find the men’s room, and you like looking at women as they walk in front of you, and you like breasts, and maybe you like men or a ladyboy, and you are embarrassed easily, and you are cute oh, and you give generous tips to your waitress…is that the man I think is calling? Well, maybe some of those items describe me, but not sure about cute Oh, trust me, Anh: you are very cute, that’s why I instantly liked you. Where are you now? At home, well in my hotel room, home for now, for a day or three. Actually, it is still so early, maybe I could come back there and have another beer; not much fun alone in a hotel room. What hotel are you at? and I told her. Thinh paused, and I could hear her talking away from the phone; I’ll come and pick you up in ten minutes ok, but I will wait on my bike outside on the street. Bye, Anh and she rang off. Well, good idea or not, I had done it now, so I put my beer in the fridge, had a quick wash and cleaned my teeth, and re-dressed, but with only a lighter, quality t-shirt this time; checked my money supply, cigarettes, tissues and key, but as I walked out the door I realized sandals on my feet might look better! Oh, I was in for another situation, I could feel it coming! I handed my key in at Reception, ordered room service breakfast for the morning, and wished the staff a good evening, as I wandered nonchalantly outside for a walk I had told them. Well, I did walk outside and onto the pavement, and slid on the back of a bike which stopped for me when I saw the flowing hair of Thinh swirling around her smiling face. Hang on she said, and I did as she wheeled around and took off, my hands grasping her hips tightly as she opened the throttle, and she laughed as she shifted herself back on the seat and pressed hard against my groin, seeming to know what she would find there, and she did. We were back at the restaurant in less time than the taxi took maybe 4 minutes versus 5 and Thinh parked and then resumed a hostess role and ushered me inside, leading me again to a table overlooking the river. She cocked her head and I said Beer, please no ice-cream! As the minutes ticked over, the restaurant began emptying, and I reminded myself I too had a busy, or at least messy day ahead, so another beer should be enough to send me home to bed to sleep’, I smiled to myself. With fewer customers, Thinh seemed able to spend more minutes returning to my table, topping up my beer after a single mouthful at times, until I asked her if she was deliberately trying to get me to drink faster, and thus drink more. She smiled Why would I do that? What are you like drunk good or bad man? I shook my head I never get drunk, em; if I feel even close, I stop. I hope also that I am always a good man. And you, do you drink Thinh? Do you get bad or always stay good? If I am not working, Anh, I have some drinks, and I try to be good sometimes I am! Well, show me, Thinh here, drink with me and I held my glass up to her; this was acceptable in Vietnamese restaurants, and in no way rude or bad behavior if done in a friendly manner. It was ruder for a waitress, or waiter, to refuse, and it was only a problem if many patrons pressed a waitress/waiter to have too much as I had indeed seen done countless times, usually by Vietnamese men. Thinh showed she could drink by swallowing the three-quarters of beer left in my glass, licking her lips as she put it down, asking Would you like another one, Anh? Looks like I need one, em yes, please. I watched her walk away, model-like with hips and legs swinging with that gait which the catwalk women seem to perfect. She looked over her shoulder, watching me watch her, and I tried to look away but not fast enough as we both knew. I felt a hot flush over my face, and raised my empty bottle to her, asking her to hurry for a refill: I needed cooling down, yet again. After several more beers, perhaps 3 for me and one and a half shared with Thinh, I needed release a full bladder, but I waited until Thinh was absent and decided I could creep safely to the men’s room alone. I was almost there when Thinh appeared, heading towards me, swaying a little; Are you ok, em? I asked, concerned I had let her get a little too drunk on my beers; she brightened immediately and took hold of my arm, Oh, you are a nice man, Anh, to be worried about me; yes, I am fine, just joking with you!”

My arm was crushed against her breast, and she held it there as she turned and walked me to the toilet, letting one of her arms dangle down between us, until she was able to place her hand across my groin. I was hard, and she made a noise, before saying You get like this because of me, Anh? Not sure Thinh, maybe - but also maybe because I need go to the toilet! and I eased her away and rushed inside, where indeed I had to go very fast. I finished, deciding definitely, I was paying the bill and going home, and made my way back to the table; settling, I waited until Thinh looked and motioned for the bill. When she came, I paid without checking had Liem or any other woman been here, they would never let me do that tipped the plate and Thinh again and she bowed and thanked me. I didn’t wait for her to return, but on my way out she ran up behind me, Anh Steve, the manager wanted to thank you, but if you need go, he told me to take you home. Oh, ok em, thank your manager for me, but yes, I need go home; tomorrow has enough problems without me drinking too much. Thank you, Thinh. I waited while she went to her bike, and then slipped on behind, automatically grabbing hold of her hips before she would probably roar off; she didn’t, rather opening the throttle gently, and leaning back to say to me Sometimes slow is better, right? I smiled at the double-entendre, and had to agree! But I still held her, though now around her waist a little closer; and she snuggled back against me closer as she meandered along. She stopped perhaps 100m from the hotel entrance, in the darkness between street lamps, and I lifted my leg over to get off and walk home, but Thinh grabbed it and swung and turned me, and somehow I was sitting with my back against the handlebars, and in Thinh’s lap, and she plastered her lips against mine, and her hands grasped me hard around my waist, pulling me right against her. Her tongue forced open my mouth and snaked inside, and twisted around just like a coiled snake freed and able to do what it wanted, and she didn’t stop for long moments, while I progressively melted under her, even if I was actually sitting on top of her. She was wanton and wanting, pushing her hands up under my shirt and digging nails into my back, around my ribcage and pulling on my nipples. This wasn’t exactly fair as I couldn’t do anything, precariously balanced as I was, and only able to grasp at her breasts through her uniform shirt. I felt the shine of approaching headlights, and in my haste to disengage fell right off the bike to the side, luckily on the grass verge rather than the hard road surface, and putting my hands out ended up sitting on my bum just as a motorcycle reached us; perhaps I looked like an unhappy boyfriend with his lady sitting there on the bike, laughing no less, while I sulked at her side at least, that’s how I hoped he/she/they saw it, if indeed they even looked. I stood trying to appear unflustered, but probably the pole in my jeans gave me away to Thinh, who reached for me again. I backed off Thinh, I have a busy day tomorrow; I really should be home asleep. I will call you, ok? I leaned over to kiss her cheeks, avoiding her mouth, Nice to meet you, em and I strode off waving as she started her bike and rode past, blowing a kiss to me. I brushed my clothes, smoothed my cock down, got my key at Reception, wished good night and, happily noting it was only 11p.m., took off my clothes, washed and went to sleep in a blink. My alarm woke me, showered and dressed when breakfast arrived, ready for the car and off to the problems. At the office, Liem greeted me with a caf?and I put my laptop and briefcase in the meeting room, but firstly went to see Ms. Tinh, the chief accountant, and nominally second-in-charge in the absence of the manager, Duc. I wished her good morning and asked her to come with me into Duc’s office next door. She confirmed she hadn’t been able to contact him either, his driver had been to the house but no-one answered, and so between us we searched his drawers and trays, but it was fruitless and we found nothing extraordinary. We sat and I ran through my list of items to do; Tinh agreed, only asking about the Police, but I suggested we firstly phone the Bank to arrange an appointment asap, and also our lawyers for the same purpose. I left her to do this, and returned to the meeting room to finish my coffee. Liem entered, asked if I was well, and I pointedly asked if she was after last night. She said brightly fine! and indeed she also looked fine’, as I followed her out to the main general office area and went around all the staff, smiling even as I asked if anyone knew where Anh Duc might be, or if they knew of any problems. I mostly watched their faces for reactions, rather than the expected no and nothing answers, but I didn’t detect anyone blatantly telling lies, or so it seemed to me. Lastly, I went to Duc’s secretary, who was visibly upset, but she could only tell me what Liem had already: Duc had been angry half last week, talking to her rudely, and obviously he had some problem, but she had no idea what it could be; then he just didn’t show up, and appeared to have disappeared. I smiled at her, added a clich?‘don’t worry and went to Tinh’s desk and sat down opposite her. She finished her phone call Lawyers say we should meet them before we go to the bank, and one of them should then come with us. They also suggest they notify the police on our behalf that Anh Duc is missing along with company property the money and the car and ask them to issue an alert. Do you agree, Anh Steve? I thought of the ramifications, for Duc, for the office staff, and for the Company, but really we had no choice but to consider he had stolen from us. I nodded, asking Tinh to tell the lawyers to advise the Police, and then get here to our office fast for a session before the expected police visit, and for Tinh to arrange an appointment at the Bank straight after lunch with their Manager. I went to the meeting room and phoned my boss with an update, also asking him if he was aware there was 35,000 plus in the account here, and he said he had approved an extra 25,000 when Duc asked a week or two earlier, saying there were some tender documents coming out for jobs and bid bonds would be needed if we wanted to participate. That answered my unspoken, until then, question as to why the office had so much USD in their account though it begged a further question: bid documents aren’t that expensive.? At face value, it therefore appeared Duc may have been preparing for longer than a few days. My boss told me to stay there for a couple more days, not only to co-ordinate matters, but also to make sure the office could function until, as seemed likely, a new manager could be appointed. He then asked if I could fly from here direct to Hanoi, where the new project was ready for ground-breaking this coming Friday, and since he couldn’t make it, wanted me on site as the company’s representative. You will reimburse all my laundry bills, won’t you? I didn’t bring clothes for a week or more! He laughed and agreed, before returning to the serious matter and voicing my own concern also I hope Duc is ok, whatever the story is. The rest of that day passed with meetings: lawyers, police investigators, and the Bank. About 5.30, I sat down with all the office staff before letting them go home; in truth, we had nothing to tell them: the bank insisted they had followed procedures, and it did appear so, and naturally Duc had been removed as a signatory and I had Liem stand-in as second authority for the future; the police would issue bulletins to their offices and posts to look out for Duc and the car, and would try and interview family and neighbours; the lawyers had records of all we had said and done; and our insurance company had been notified, and they would cover the losses if unrecovered. Finally, no, there was no word of Anh Duc, or of his wife, and I asked everyone to pray for their well-being in whatever the problem was. We broke up somberly, and all headed to their homes, but I held Tinh and our Design Manager back to ask if we had any potential bids due now or soon. Ling, the designer/architect chief, said yes, there were two new projects about to issue documents, but the documents would only cost 500 each.

He asked if we could still go for them, and I agreed if the office had already decided they were possibilities, and I asked Tinh to arrange to have money transferred from the home office and I would confirm it. He sighed, shook his head I can’t believe Anh Duc would just steal it, really I can’t. I concurred and truthfully was more worried about Duc as a person than about the company’s (insured) property. The car took me back to the hotel, and in my room I just slumped on the sofa with a beer, removing my shirt and pants and just sitting there in my underpants while I sighed over the day’s stressful events. I rose and peeked out the balcony door: no-one either side, so I took a cigarette and my beer and sat on the balcony, the sun just disappearing, and a nice evening breeze blowing. I relaxed and willed myself to be calm, nothing more to be done today, and perhaps not even tomorrow: just waiting to see what would develop, if anything. My door bell rang, and I resignedly found my shorts and went to open it; it was Tuan, in uniform so I guessed she was still working. Just wanted to see how you are, Anh; Liem said it was a difficult day. I’m ok, Tuan, thanks, just relaxing; you are working now? Yes, I am on evening shift, so finish at 10p.m. and going now for dinner on my break. If you need anything, Anh, just ask for me. She smiled coyly and I laughed I will, Tuan, but not tonight; I am worn out just now. Bye em. And she skipped away as I closed the door. Hardly had I reached the balcony, when Bo came knocking, flying into the room when I opened the door, and grasping me in a cuddle. I have thought about you all night and all day, Anh Steve! she gushed. Hello to you also, Bo I answered What’s up? Bo stepped back, apologizing, and flushed; I just saw Tuan and she told me you were home, and I wanted to just come and see you. Now I must get back to work, see you later maybe Anh…? Maybe tomorrow, Bo; it’s been a hard day at the office, and I am still thinking about it all, so don’t know what I am doing at the moment. With a sad expression on her face, I ran my hand along her cheek, and she perked up a little as she left. I sighed and went back to my beer, wishing I had asked Bo for some ice, but deciding against it for now.

Not unexpectedly, Liem then phoned me to say her mother wasn’t so well, so while she had hoped to come and see me tonight, she couldn’t and hoped I would be ok; I told her to take care of her mother, and I would take care myself. Who’s left? I wondered, to check up on me? Actually it was a long list and I almost turned off my mobile, but restrained myself in case of work. I decided on a shower to refresh myself, washed my hair, shaved and sat on the chair while I turned on BBC news, catching up on world affairs. Now I did phone down for some ice as my beer was only cool, rather than cold, wrapping the towel around my waist when the waiter arrived, not Bo this time; I tipped him and he smiled thanking me. I put some ice in my glass, the rest in the freezer and sat back down until the news finished. What to do now? Hungry not really, too early for me; get some fresh air, now that was an idea, and go for a walk. I dressed only in shorts and a light shirt, sandals, loaded my pockets with money, tissues, hotel card in case I got lost, and found Thinh’s restaurant card with those items, so idly slipped that in my pocket also, as I closed the room, and left my key at Reception, telling Tuan I was going for a walk when I saw her downstairs. She said to be careful, but if I turned left I would come to the river and it was a nice walk that way. I smiled thanks, and did exactly that, not hurrying, feeling the light breeze, thinking more than looking until I did reach the river. I had my phone and, on impulse, I dialed Duc: no response other than the automated voice again. I put it away and wandered along the road beside the river until I found a small restaurant where I entered and sat on the river’s edge and ordered a beer and ice. There were a few others there eating dinner; one table of four in front of me, with two girls facing me, and a young man and probably his wife/girlfriend with their backs to me. The girls facing me kept looking, no other foreigners in here, and perhaps rarely were, so I was the novelty visitor happens a lot, since I choose my bars or restaurants same as locals rather than a/c, cocooned, expensive places normally frequented by foreigners: mine were invariably cheaper, and a lot more fun. Next time I caught the girls smiling, I smiled back, raised my glass and spoke a toast to them in Vietnamese; they stopped giggling and were impressed, nodding their heads in acknowledgement and lifting their own glasses, causing the boy and girl to also turn towards me and toast also. I put my glass down, turned to face the river with my thoughts, and let them get back to their food. I had no idea what I could do tomorrow at the office, other than to sit and wait and help Tinh give the office some confidence to keep moving forward. I sighed, just as a voice asked at my left shoulder Excuse me, do you speak Vietnamese, Anh? I turned, seeing both of the girls from the next table standing there, almost sisters in appearance, and typically Vietnamese: not so tall, slim, beautiful, long black hair…so attractive, and so many everywhere. Both of them had white blouses and black skirts: University I identified. Yes, I replied in Vietnamese, and went on to give my name and ask theirs: Ming and Jin, and to tell them my company had an office here, just chit-chat for a few moments. One girl asked if they could sit with me and practice their English for a few minutes; I agreed, as politeness dictated I must, and they sat opposite me. Switching to English, I offered them a drink and they declined, theirs were at the other table and they were fine, thanks. We chatted, but I had to ask questions to get them to relax and try out their English; they were hesitant, but slowly told me they were actually sisters, their older sister was the other girl with her boyfriend, and their mother only let their sister go out if one or both of them were with her. They were at University, one year apart, but both studying Business Management, now in final year 4 and 3, and they confirmed my guess: this made them 22 and 21 years old. They asked about my job, where I had lived, and were fascinated when I rattled of a few of the many countries I had been lucky enough to have been to in my life especially as they had yet to ever go outside Vietnam. Time passed, and next beer order for me, they also accepted and agreed they would share one bottle of beer between them. I soon understood why when they began giggling, but it was more in fun than drunk; their sister turned to check on them at times, but mostly had her head close to her boyfriend’s in quiet conversation, satisfied I was no danger. I had to go to the toilet and when I returned, the girls had swapped seats: Ming, the older, on my side, and Jin now opposite me. I sat, and Ming asked Is this ok, I asked Jin to take a photo of me with you? Yes, its ok, but honestly I don’t like myself in photos, so I apologize if it’s not so good. I actually take photos quite well, and prefer to be on that side of the camera. Oh, Anh, I am sure you will look fine please.”

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