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It was a fairy-tale, and Elle knew how they were supposed to end.

This is reality… At some point, the real world would come to claim their relationship. Even if they were never caught, what would happen when one of them inevitably wanted more? Arianna would have to give up her career, assuming she forgave Elle for not disclosing who she was sooner. What if she doesn’t want to move to America? And what would they do if Elle moved to Singapore for work but Arianna lost her visa and had to move back to Malaysia? There were so many possibilities for things to go belly up.

Which was why Elle had to appreciate everything they had right now.

Even when her stomach growled and their hot moment was finished in an instance, laughter shaking off the awkwardness of the situation.

“Think I should order us something,” Elle said when she had recollected herself. Arianna touched up her hair and unwrinkled her blouse. “What are you feeling? Chicken? Prawns?”

Arianna slapped her hands on her waist. “I’ll tell you what I’m feeling,” she sultrily said in Mandarin. “I’m in the mood for whatever you’ve got in there.”

She pointed to Elle’s pants. Sometimes, girlfriends were like that.

Chapter 18

Arianna spent most of that weekend in Elle’s hotel room, although not alone. That’s one thing she doesn’t abide by. As soon as Elle had a meeting to get to, she escorted a well-dressed Arianna out and locked the door behind her. That suited Arianna fine for the most part, who had errands to run and other people to see when she was home in Singapore, but wasn’t it a little strange? If Elle had an hour-long meeting but intended to meet up with Arianna again later, it was strange that her guest wouldn’t be allowed to stay in the room if she wanted. Did Elle not trust Arianna not to steal anything?

…Or go snooping?

She spent every night Elle was in town with her, bringing over a change of clothes and toiletries every time. On the nights they made love, they were in a blind desire to make the most out of their pleasure before sleeping until the sun crept through the tall windows. On the nights they didn’t, Elle mused about her old relationship with a woman named Pamela but didn’t give many other details.

Likewise, Arianna was her usual font of information about her childhood, her ambitions to become a Singapura Girl, and her ten-year career that had defined most of her life.

“What would you do if you couldn’t be a flight attendant anymore?” Elle asked on Saturday when they had brunch in the hotel café. “Like if you woke up one day and couldn’t do it anymore?”

She asked in English, but Arianna responded in Mandarin. In a country like Singapore, it didn’t matter what language they used – there was always someone around who would understand. “I don’t know. I am simply a flight attendant. It was always my dream.”

“Dreams change.”

Arianna paused chomping down on the salad that had more walnuts than sense. “Sure. But I’ve still got a few years in me. I’d like to go up the food chain, you know? Next step is Boss Tan’s position. Then I want Ms. See’s.” That’s what she called Rachel when she wanted to show deference but didn’t want to say the massive mouthful that was her full name. “After that… I don’t know. You’ll have to ask me once I’m running all of the preflight meetings.”

“I definitely think you have what it takes to get those promotions, for what it’s worth.”

Nobody had to tell Arianna that, but she still appreciated hearing it from her girlfriend’s mouth. She’s a board member for some company, after all. Her opinion probably held more merit than most people Arianna knew outside of work.

“Who do you work for?”

Elle was caught off guard by that question. “What do you mean?”

“Uh, obviously I mean who do you work for. Eh? What company?”

“Oh, you’ve never heard of it. One of those giant shell companies that own a ton of other companies. It’s why most of my money is dirty.”

Arianna needed more. “I know how to use Google. And Baidu! Alamak! I feel like you’re playing a mind game with me, lah.”

She didn’t usually speak like that to Elle, but when in public in Singapore, she couldn’t help but throw some Singlish at the woman she dated. Elle understood most of it, anyway.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to. The truth is…” Elle put down her fork with finality and sighed. “I’m not supposed to tell.”

“Oh… is it government-related?”

“We have acquired some government contracts, yes. Those I definitely can’t talk about.”

Which government? Arianna figured it was the American government, with that much secrecy. “So you work on a board of directors for some shadow corporation that is controlling some of the world? Interesting.”

Elle laughed. “Definitely wouldn’t put it that way. I’m not at liberty to share right now. I wish I could.”

“Promise me you’re not doing something to destabilize other governments or make people’s lives miserable.”