122 I Need You

William lay on the large bed alone in room 303 in the Peninsula Hotel. Drinking a scotch on ice and staring at the empty space beside him. The ice-cubes swirled around in the glass and gave off a soothing, clinking sound.

William ran his open hand over the soft, spotless sheets and lay his head back on the pillows and sipped his drink in an attempt to calm his mind.

An itch inside him persisted and without Lina here, it grew worse.

He shook his head and tried to push the thoughts from his mind, and his hand instinctively picked up his cellphone and dialled the familiar number.

"Hello?" answered a female voice.

He closed his eyes and held his breath, conflicted inside and battling with mixed emotions.

Her soft breath hit his ears and he bit his lip, containing his feelings. He didn't want to speak, just listen.

Her smile was evident even over the faceless means of communication.

"Back in Beijing I see... and calling me after midnight. Does William Zheng miss me?"