Zhilan (The bewildered man, the dead chinaman and the talking cats) by Gemma Herrero Virto

Author:Gemma Herrero Virto
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gemma Herrero Virto
Published: 2017-06-16T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Zhilan comes out of the bedroom an hour later. She has stopped crying and seems to have calmed down. She smiles timidly as if to apologize. I smile back sincerely and invite her to sit down beside me.

— Have you thought about what you want to do?— I ask.

— Yes, I've made a decision. If the only thing he wants is to inherit my grandfather's empire, I'll give it to him.

— How are you going to do that? It's not fair; it belongs to you.

— It belongs to me, but I don't want it— she seems very sure of herself, as if she had thought through everything from all angles—. The only thing I want to do is to stay alive. If giving him what he wants means that he'll leave us alone, I'll sign away the inheritance.

— But you'd be left with nothing and nowhere to go.

— I know, but I'll make do— she looks at me with those lost puppy eyes—. Can I stay with you until I find a job and place to live?

— You can stay with me as long as you like.

She agrees gratefully. I hold her tight and let her lay her head on my chest. I hope she doesn't notice the way my heart is racing, pealing like a bell during a festival. I know that I should be mad because she's going to lose everything that is rightfully hers, but I feel happy. She's going to stay here with me, I'm not going to lose her. She will stop being an untouchable princess and become a normal girl, somebody I'd have a chance with in the real world. I feel a little miserable for being so glad, but her hair in my hands and her body pressing against mine erase that thought in mere seconds.

— Could you lend me your cell phone?— she asks after a few minutes—. I have to call and tell him.

— And how do you plan to give him the document? Do you trust that he'll accept it and just let you walk away?

— I hope so— she tries to sound sure of herself but I can see the fear in her eyes.

— I wouldn't trust him. He likes to lie in ambush way too much— I continue to think for a few seconds in silence—. When you talk with him, tell him that you'll only give him the signed document if he comes alone. Tell him to drive to Portugalete, near the hanging bridge, tomorrow at five and to wait for instructions.

— What do you plan to do?— she asks, raising one eyebrow.

— Make sure he doesn't have anything up his sleeve. And get him a little dizzy while I'm at it— I squeeze her hand, trying to make her feel safe—. I know this open, public space where nothing can go wrong. Call him.

She takes my cell phone and calls him. She starts speaking in Chinese a few seconds later. I try to control myself by looking at the window.

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