The Long Way Around

Arrivals and Departures

                                   Harlow
2024
I woke up startled by turbulence.  I had been so wracked for sleep that I had slept 9 hours straight. Something about first class on the plane felt amazing. It was so much better than the last time I did this flight sitting cooped up in economy looking like less than a human being. 

The dream I had definitely didn't promote restful sleep. My life ten years ago played in front of me like I had center row seats at a movie theater. I guess the anxiousness I felt about landing in Shanghai was bringing all of memories of the city to the forefront.
Sitting there in my seat I caught up on a book I hadn't had a chance to finish. One of the best things about constantly being on planes flying around the world was the down time it gave me to read. Reading was own little escape providing me chance to have peace.

With two hours left I finished my book and had a bit of time left to review the story boards for the music video we'd be shooting while I was in Shanghai. Though I was here for my tour I also had to film some scenes for my music video and some behind the scenes for the tour video and vlogs. This whole trip would be mostly business with small moment of vacation.

Just then the voice of the captain over the speaker pulled me from my focus. We were beginning our descent into Shanghai Pudong Airport. I adjusted myself and put away my belongings.

After disembarking, I stopped by the bathroom to rinse my face, touch up my make up straighten out my hair. I didn't want to be caught at the airport looking like I had a long flight.

As I walked through the international arrivals hall I came upon a driver and assistant holding a large card with Taylor delicately written across the front. Approaching them we greeted each other politely. The driver took my bags and the assistant introduced herself. "Ms. Harlow my is Biyu. I will be here to help you with anything you need while in China. Just think of me as your assistant."

I gave her nice smile and responded in Chinese " nice to meet you Biyu. Please be comfortable and address me as just Harlow. Let's be more like friends than boss and employee. Where is our first stop?"
Biyu's face lit up in shock and excitement. "Uh... Harlow. I didn't know you spoke Chinese. First we will go to the hotel to drop of your belongings. You have free time for the rest of the day if there is anything you'd like to do."

I nodded in understanding. "Yes I do speak it. I lived here for a while in college." With that we walked out the doors of the airport.
As the doors opened the noise from outside rang out as paparazzi, reporters, and fans all clamored for my attention. I put on my best smile and waived at everyone before getting in the backseat and letting the driver shut the door.

Driving down the road we eventually hit the main city. It had been years since I'd last been here. The city had changed but still felt the same as well. I felt anxious. In this big city with millions of people, there are just three people I hope to never run in to. I rolled the window down letting the smell of Shanghai engulf me. The similar smell brought memories rushing back to me.
                        ......................
2014

I came to as light above me wizzed by. Confusion and fear rushing through me I grabbed my belly. "Where am I? My baby! My baby! What's happening?"

Just as my panic rose I could feel Solei grab my hand as she ran alongside me.
"Honey your in the hospital. You have to calm down. Joshua is coming. This is what you prepared for." She said as sorry painter her face.

Feeling a burning sensation I touched my forehead. As I looked at my fingers I could see they were covered in warm blood. "Hao? Where's Hao!" I tried to sit up.

Solei placed her hand on my belly. "Baby please don't worry. Xiaowei is contacting him. You just worry about yourself and your baby that's all. Focus on Joshua."

With those words I could feel the burning in my head intensify. I laid my head back down and the room blurred as my eyes slowly closed.

..................beep......beep.....beep.......beep
I woke up to a splitting headache. I reached for my belly and realized that there was no longer a bump there. I could feel my panic wash over me. Joshua. Where's my baby? As I turned over in the corner sat a figure. With every second my vision focused and I could see the middle aged woman sitting on the chair in the corner looking at me with disgust on her face. With a dry throat the words came out in a croak. "Who are you? Where is my baby?"

She stood up slowly and walked over, her heals clacking sharply on the floor. She grabbed the pitcher of water on the side table and poured it into a cup. Gently she held the cup to my lips so that I could take a sip. After a few sips she put the cup down. I am madam Xi, Hayou's mother." She looked at me sharply the disdain for oozing through every ounce of her being.

My eyes widened and then lowered. "Mama Xi. It is nice to meet you." Nervously I realized I had never met Haoyu's mother before. I'm sure I looked a mess. Confusion rushed through me. "Where is Joshua? Where is Hao. How come he's not here?"

She took a step back, looked down her nose at me and walked back to the chair in the corner before taking a seat. "Please address me as Madam Xi. Only Haoyu's future wife will address me as Mama. That title is reserved for Xining. I'm sure you heard they are to be married. As for my son. He is taking care of family business."

I could feel my stomach turning. "Family business... is the birth of his son not considered family business. He should be here. Where is he? Where is my baby?"

She looked at her fingernails inspecting her perfect manicure. "Child, your baby is gone. He did not survive the birth. Count this as a blessing. You will cut ties with our family cleanly. The Xu family has no room for weakness and that is what that bastard you carried is. It is better for weakness to be snuffed out before it can take root."

I let out a loud gasp. "My baby is dead. He can't be. He was perfectly healthy. If this is the case, it is more of a reason for Hao to be here!"

Her voice raised an octave. "You shall no longer concern yourself with my son. Hao knows if the situation. He has realized the error of his ways in playing along with you. He has decided to take Xining as his wife and to take over the family business." She flicked her fingers. "You and that baby are just like a piece of dust. Easily shaken off. I am here to deliver this message." She stood up and looked at me. "As a last grace from our family, you will receive the best care here as you heal. When you leave this hospital you will be taken straight to the airport and sent straight back to America. You are never to see or speak to my son again. Haoyu has already had your belongs sent back to America. He has sold that shack of an apartment you called a home and also set you up with a place back in New York City. You have a year to get yourself together before we cut you off completely." She walked toward the door, heels clicking sharply on the hospital room floor. She turned to me one last time, "let this be the last time I see you. This is the final kindness this family will extend to you. You will heal well. And you will leave. That is all."

I sat there looking at my hands as I heard the room door slide shut. At an utter loss for words. My baby is gone. I couldn't allow myself to cry in front of her. She was like lioness looking for prey. Left there in silence with so many thoughts, my phone beeped. I grabbed my phone off the side table. It was a text message from Hao. 'Harlow we are done. Here is where we part ways. This whole thing was a mistake. I hope we never meet.'

I tried calling him and he wouldn't answer. After the third call the phone finally picked up. "Hao...I" my words were cut short as I could here Xining giggling in through the phone "Hao. Be good. Let's do these things once we're married" giggle. "Hao you're so bad."

Click.

I hung up the phone and threw it against the floor. In that moment the loudest sob escaped me. Solei came running through the door. She looked as if she had seen a ghost. Running over to me she yanked me into her arms and let me cry. We stayed that way for hours as I cried myself into exhaustion and fell asleep.