Chapter 11: Cheongsam
It has been 2 weeks since the trip to Washington, D.C. Mr. McNally’s speech gave Jesse and Mei some new ideas. The proposal was modified accordingly, blessed by the VPs, and submitted for customer review.
Mei honestly didn’t know how she felt about Elaina, not that it was any of her business. Strangely she’s more surprised that Jesse didn’t mention the fact about he had a fiancée, than about the fact itself. She knew very well that he had no obligation to report to her about his love life. Now come to think of it, everything made perfect sense. If Mei pictured Jesse with a girl, she would have looked exactly like Elaina. Then what is this restlessness that she kept feeling whenever the thought of Elaina came to mind? And what about Lin-Lin? How would she feel about this? Mei tried to distract herself from all this madness and hoped things will sort themselves out with time.
With the proposal out of the door now, everyone at work seemed more relaxed and generally happier. Mei noticed Jesse would stop at different people’s desks and just chat. He obviously has great social skills to build up his likability and have earned a good share of respect. He promotes the “work hard play hard” motto, same idea as what Mindy had but with a more effective implementation. She noticed changes around office: Jesse started wearing Jerseys on Fridays, despite the fact it’s the Redskin’s; and people started dressing and acting more professionally. Mei believed Jesse showed people how to be successful by example and is bringing motivation back in the group. She found herself learning a lot about leadership from him and started agreeing more and more with their CIO Mr. Carson’s decision of bringing him onboard as the lead.
Jesse and Mei talked often now as well; and not just about work stuff. She discovered he use to be a huge 49er’s fan but now also cheers for the Redskin’s. He learned that they both like spicy food and have a sweet tooth. Overall Mei found herself enjoying time at work more. She’s not sure if the office atmosphere is really calmer and more positive than before, or if it is her that has changed.
Dan arrived at Mei’s apartment complex about 15 minutes early on Saturday. He decided to head in instead of waiting at the parking lot. Mei had invited him to go with her to Tammy’s engagement party tonight. Their relationship has been growing, slowly but growing, so that’s a good sign.
After 2 rounds of door bells, Mei opened the door, and Dan found himself in awe: Mei was wearing a white Cheongsam with printed blue floral patterns on it. The body hugging one piece was at knee length with short sleeves just passing her shoulder. It makes her look sexy, feminine, and sophisticated. She had a comb in between her teeth and one hand behind her head holding her hair into a pony tail; obvious she’s in the middle of getting ready.
“Hi, I am sorry for being early, your place was easier to find than I thought.” After a few seconds of initial shock, Dan was able to gather his thoughts.
“Oh Hi Dan, it’s OK, come on in. Please make yourself at home. I’ll be just a second.” With that Mei ran back to her bedroom like she had a fire to put out.
Dan walked in to Mei’s condo for the first time. Consider being on the first floor of a five story complex, it felt bright and open, with big sliding glass doors in the living area that leads right into a common court yard outside. It is not hard to see she has a contemporary style when it comes to interior decorating. The white leather sofa was placed right across from the gas fireplace, with matching yellow and gray pillows and a checker black and white throw lying on top. A couple of bridal magazines and Mei’s laptop took most of the space on top of an oval shaped glass coffee table.
He stepped over in front of the fireplace. On top of the granite mantle two picture frames where standing on each side of a five-piece candle set. One picture appeared to be Mei’s family in China; the other showed Mei in cap and gown smiling big at the camera with a diploma in hand.
“Sorry to keep you waiting… That was from so many years ago.” Mei came out and saw Dan looking at her graduation picture. Dan turned his head toward the sound, and saw Mei had her hair now carefully rolled up into a bun and secured by two long pins. There is a strand of hair freely flowing in the front which gives a softer and playful tone to her updo. Her makeup was barely detectable yet made her absolutely stunning.
“My goodness, Mei, you are so beautiful!” Dan walked up to Mei and pulled her into his arms. She smelled like jasmine and he just wanted this moment to last forever.
Tammy’s engagement party is held in downtown, at the Maggiano’s– Tammy’s favorite Italian restaurant. Tammy’s Dad – Randy Weis is in town this weekend, to say his congratulations and meet his future son-in-law for the first time.
Mei first met Randy at Tammy’s graduation. She remembered him being a short southern gentleman with a warm welcoming personality. He had a bald head, short grey beard, and loud laughs which all together reminded Mei of Santa Claus.
Mei liked Randy and believed he’s a good man. She saw how he felt guilty about not being there for Tammy and tried very hard through the years to repair the relationship. She understood sometimes life is not about who’s right or who’s wrong, it is about facing and living through the consequences of your decisions and come out better and stronger.
Dan and Mei arrived at the restaurant 5 minutes early. Their table was located towards the back of the dining hall. The yellowish, dim lighting in the restaurant and the beautiful singing of Frank Sanatra in the background made Mei felt like she has been taken back to the 1960’s.
Jim, Tammy and Randy have already arrived and saw them from afar. Mei waved at them while hurried her steps behind Dan. Before she knew it, something slipped under her high heel and her body fell backward as she watched the ceiling of the restaurant fast rolling in front of her eyes.
She let out a yell and stretched her arms out hoping to grab on to something. The good news is that the tables are not far apart from each other and she was able to save herself from lying on the Maggiano’s floor; the bad news is she was loud enough to cause a scene and now she felt totally embarrassed.
Dan quickly turned back to check on Mei. After regaining her composure, she looked up and wanted tell Dan she’s all right. Instead of Dan’s blue eyes, her attention was drawn to a couple behind him, sitting at a corner booth, both with bright blinding blonde hair; she saw Jesse and his beautiful fiancée, Elaina.
Great! Is this the weekend that everyone chose to be in town at the same time? There is no need to pretend she didn’t see them, because Jesse has already stood up and walked toward this direction.
“Mei? Wow I almost didn’t recognize you…” Jesse paused as he quickly glanced over Dan’s hand that’s resting on Mei’s shoulder.
“I’m OK.” Mei finally got her words out, she wasn’t sure though who she was assuring.
“Dan, this is Mr. Broderick, my boss. And Mr. Broderick, this is Dan, …”
“Hi, Dan Wazowski, I am Mei’s boyfriend.” Before Mei could finish, Dan reached out his hand to Jesse and introduced himself.
