White Tiger

would have run into each other eventually.’
    ‘Damn!’
    ‘If she’s going out with someone already then he will keep his paws off her. That is the only hope she has. Otherwise, he will regard her as fair game.’
    ‘You are absolutely no help whatsoever, you know that?’
    ‘Sorry,’ he said, without a hint of remorse. ‘Is that all? No demons or anything otherwise?’
    ‘Good bye ,’ I snapped, and flicked the phone shut.
    I stormed back to the private room.
    Bai Hu and Louise were gazing into each other’s eyes, their faces barely apart. There was a dish ofsashimi on the table that both of them completely ignored.
    ‘All right, you two,’ I said. ‘Bai Hu, get your ugly paws off my friend. I will not lose her to your harem. Louise…’ She ignored me so I went to her and shoved her shoulder. ‘Don’t get yourself mixed up with this bastard. I know him and he’s bad news. ’
    Louise snapped out of it and smiled up at me. ‘Did you know that Tiger owns this hotel?’
    ‘Don’t get involved with him, Louise. I don’t want to lose you.’
    ‘Stay out of it, Emma,’ the Tiger said, without looking away from Louise. ‘It’s her decision to make. And I could give her more than she could ever want.’
    She gazed up at the Tiger with adoration. ‘You’re just jealous. You have your Mr Chen, leave me alone.’
    The Tiger’s head snapped around to me. ‘What’s this? You and him?’
    I turned away and sat in a chair on the other side of the table. ‘Nothing.’
    ‘Look at her,’ Louise said, still holding Bai Hu’s hand. ‘Head over heels for her Mr Chen.’
    The Tiger dropped Louise’s hand. She didn’t seem to notice. ‘I thought he was joking.’
    I ran my hands through my hair. ‘He was. Nothing there.’
    Bai Hu rose and came around to my side of the table. He sat next to me and studied my face.
    I looked at Louise. She sat frozen, smiling at us. ‘You’ve done something to her.’
    ‘Of course. We need to talk.’ He saw my face. ‘Don’t be a fool, Emma. You know it can’t happen.’
    I dropped my head with misery. ‘Too late, Bai Hu.’
    ‘And him?’ His eyes unfocused. He snapped back to me and smiled sadly. ‘Damn, but you are a pair of fools.’
    I shook my head. ‘We know.’
    He glanced at Louise. ‘I’m sorry. I won’t contact your friend again. I think you need her.’ He turned back to me. ‘What are you going to do?’
    I sighed with defeat. ‘I’ll take each day as it comes. I’ll enjoy the time I have left with him. I’ll be strong when he goes, and I’ll survive. And when he’s gone, I’ll look after that wonderful little girl for the rest of my life.’
    ‘And him?’ His eyes unfocused again for a moment. ‘He says pretty much the same thing you do, Emma. He says he’ll enjoy what he has with you until he goes.’ His voice broke. ‘He wishes he could tell you how he feels to your face without hurting you.’ He shook his head. ‘What a pair of fools.’
    ‘Are you communicating with him now?’ I whispered.
    He nodded without looking up.
    ‘Could you tell him…’ I hesitated, searching for the words. ‘Could you tell him that I know? That he doesn’t need to say anything? Because words aren’t really necessary between us.’
    ‘Is what’s between you really that true?’ the Tiger whispered.
    ‘Yes.’
    He smiled. ‘He said yes too.’ He waved one hand.
    Louise jerked upright. ‘What’s going on?’
    The Tiger pulled himself to his feet. ‘I just remembered, I have somebody I have to meet, but don’t worry, lunch is on me.’ He smiled down at Louise, who appeared bewildered. ‘You’re absolutely stunning, Louise, but there’s somebody else right now and it wouldn’t be right.’
    ‘No, please, Tiger, stay,’ she said, desperate.
    He grabbed his sports bag, went to the door and pulled his tennis shoes on. ‘Order anything you like.And tell him that next time I see him, I’m going to punch him in the nose.’ ‘Who?’ Louise said.
    ‘Bye, Louise, it’s been a great deal of pleasure,’ he said, and went out. As soon as he was outside the door, he looked around and disappeared.
    Louise rushed to the door. ‘Wait!’
    ‘He’s gone, Louise.’
    She sighed. ‘God, he was wonderful.’
    ‘He already has a lot of wives,’ I said. ‘ Lots of wives.’
    ‘So?’ She turned back to me. ‘You know his number?’
    ‘No. I have no way of contacting him, and even if I did I wouldn’t give it to you. Come on,