18

“Don’t you feel much better now?” Jasmine asked with a smile as they both left the mall

“No, I don’t,” Cory tells her, opening the car door for her to get in.

“Well I do and don’t think I had forgotten about our deal, I’m driving,” Jasmine says smiling, with her hands in front of Cory, waiting for him to hand over the keys to her.

They had been in the Joy City shopping mall in the Xicheng district for about twenty minutes. Cory had thought she was coming to buy a few things, but to his surprise, she only came to change her outfit. She had changed into a pair of black high-waist skinny jeans, a blue diamond studded denim camisole, and a black Shai textured socket.

She also insisted Cory changed from his suit because it made him look too formal, and they didn’t need all that look where they were heading. So he changed into a beige side pocket cotton cargo pants, a white polo shirt, and an over shirt. Jasmine insisted they both get matching pairs of Dr. Martens 1460 bex leather boots to complement their final look.

Cory had asked politely where they were headed that she had invested in them going all China street fashion, but all he got from her was ‘You’ll see’.

“Of course you are,” Cory said, before handing her the keys.

He watches her as she settles into the driver’s seat. She looked so excited, it was hard to believe the lady he was staring at was his boss who was all dressed in formal attire, going back and forth about business barely an hour ago.

“Aren’t you getting in?” Jasmine asks.

Cory smiles at her, before putting the shopping bags in the back seat and joining her in the front passenger’s seat.

“Ready?” Jasmine asks with a grin plastered on her face.

“No” Cory replies, his eyes fixed on the road in front of them.

“That’s good enough for me,” Jasmine says with a giggle, before starting the car and taking off.

************************************

Cory could not have in any way predicted that he would be eating seafood mostly scorpions, with his boss. He enjoyed how it was spicy and tasty but his subconscious kept reminding him that he was eating one of the world’s deadliest animals. His mom would nearly stop breathing if she could see him right now, she dreaded scorpions, dead or alive.

“You look like you’re about to die” Jasmine teases as she helps herself to a little more from the tray in front of them.

They had eaten and tasted more food than Cory could keep count. He now understood why they needed to change what they had on. She had taken him to a handful of street vendors, asking about what they sold and a few she was already familiar with. She enjoyed not having people around her, not talking about work, and living the work life. Watching her jump at the site of fire each time they met street magicians made Cory laugh helplessly.

The excitement in her eyes each time she saw a different recipe displayed across by the street food vendor; she would hold his hands and drag him to where the vendor was, urging him to try it out and pleading with him to let her drink something that he wasn’t sure about.

It felt like they were just two college lovebirds on holiday in Beijing. He enjoyed the feeling that came with letting his guard down, but he was too invested in protecting her, he knew better.

Just as Cory is about to say something, his phone begins to vibrate. A message pops up from Damien.

“All set to go” it read.

“We have to go,” He tells her, before standing up.

The drive to the airport was filled with Jasmine’s voice, going on and on about how she wished they could’ve stayed a little longer. She was scrolling through countless pictures they had taken, and mentally revisiting every food vendor they had met and the numerous delicacies they had just enjoyed.

Cory only just manages to keep his eyes on the road whilst paying attention to Jasmine recount the exciting moments of their just concluded spree. He also wondered what his men would say when they saw him in a new outfit, especially one that was so dissimilar to the standard working apparel. He didn’t want to send the wrong message, but then again, wasn’t that exactly what he was doing?

“They’re here, everyone in position” Damien’s voice echoes through the telecom.

Cory turns into the runway and slows the car down gradually till it stops, then jumps out quickly and goes to open the door for Jasmine who steps down.

“’Thank you” She tells him with a warm smile.

“You’re welcome ma’am” he replied, switching to his straight-faced official conduct.

Cory saw the expression on her face and he could tell that for a second, she was a little bit disappointed when she heard him address her as ma’am. She had understood immediately and acted accordingly. He maintained a stern face as he picked up their bags from the car and handed them over to a guard, before following her.

He also made sure to avoid eye contact especially with Damien, as in the moment, he needn’t be bothered about what the guys around were thinking, his eyes stayed glued to Jasmine. He didn’t even turn to acknowledge Lisa, who was obviously wondering what was going on. They got into the plane, strapped themselves in and in a short while they were in the air, heading back to New York.