The Will Of The Wongs

Tuesday evening found Arthur at The White Horse, arriving twenty minutes early and choosing a secluded booth. He watched as Mei entered precisely at 5:30, having changed out of her waitressing uniform into a simple yet form-fitting dress that accentuated her curves. Despite her casual attire, she carried herself with an undeniable presence.

"You came," Arthur noted, standing as she approached.

"I said I would," she replied, seating herself without waiting for him to pull out her chair. "Don't make this something it isn't."

Their conversation was challenging from the start. Arthur found himself off balance, unable to steer the dialogue as he normally did. Mei discussed mundane topics – the rising cost of groceries, her sister's wedding plans, the weather – yet in responding, Arthur felt as though he were navigating unknown territory with an incomplete map.

Their "date" lasted exactly forty-five minutes.

"I've an early start tomorrow," Mei said, standing abruptly. "Walk me home?"

The request surprised Arthur, though he masked it well. The twenty-minute walk to Mei's terraced house was filled with comfortable silence broken only by Mei's occasional comment about a garden or building they passed. When they reached her door, she turned before entering.

"Same time next week?" Arthur asked, already knowing the answer.

"If you're still interested," Mei replied with an enigmatic smile. "Though I'm not sure why you would be."

Thus began their unconventional courtship. Every Tuesday for six months, they met somewhere different – pubs, parks,a walk along the River Medway. Arthur brought gifts initially – jewelry, vouchers, even a cashmere coat once – but Mei consistently refused them.

"No more gifts," she told him firmly after his fourth offering. "If your interest is genuine, prove it with your time, not your money."

Arthur Sterling, who believed everything had a price, found himself in unfamiliar territory.

As months passed, Mei's appearance evolved subtly but significantly. The modest dresses of their first few dates gave way to more adventurous choices – lower necklines, higher hemlines, fabrics that hugged her generous figure. Yet she remained physically distant, allowing only brief touches: a hand on his arm when making a point, a brief squeeze of his fingers when parting.

The torment grew excruciating for Arthur. He found himself obsessively replaying their conversations in his mind, analyzing Mei's expressions and gestures for hidden meanings. The professional confidence that characterized his business dealings evaporated around her, replaced by something resembling desperation.

"How much longer are you going to make me wait?" he asked one April evening as they stood near the river bridge.

"Wait for what?" Mei replied innocently, though her knowing smile suggested otherwise. "We've been having pleasant conversations. I've enjoyed our time together."

The word "conversations" hung mockingly between them. Arthur had begun to notice other changes too – Mei's comments became more pointed, occasionally questioning his decisions or challenging his business knowledge with surprising insight that made him wonder what she truly did when they weren't together.

"I'm not like most girls" – her warning from that first "date" echoed in his mind increasingly often.

Their interactions followed a pattern: Arthur's growing frustration, Mei's calm detachment, his renewed determination, her subtle encouragement just when he was about to give up. By the sixth month, Arthur was consumed – rearranging his schedule around their weekly meetings, declining business opportunities that conflicted with their time together, experiencing actual anxiety when he considered what might happen if she finally ended this torture.

What Arthur couldn't see – what Mei carefully controlled – was that this was exactly where she wanted him: desperate, uncertain, completely focused on her approval.

"You seem different tonight," Mei noted one Tuesday evening as they sat at a small café overlooking the river. "Relaxed, somehow."

Arthur hadn't realized how much his tension had shown. "Maybe I've finally accepted that this is how things will be," he found himself saying.

For the first time, Mei's expression was unreadable. "Oh, I don't think so," she replied quietly. "In fact, I think everything is about to change."

Arthur should have felt alarm at her words, but instead felt only excitement. He had no idea that Mei's long-held plan was about to enter its next phase – one that would transform their unusual courtship into something far more consuming.