The Escort S2

Part 47: I promise you

Author's POV

Teoki's mesmerized by the beauty in the photo as he takes a single finger and traces the handsome young man's jaw line.

"Unbelievable," he mumbles. His heart paces rapidly as his thoughts swirl. "H-He's been reincarnated and has come back to me." Wetness floods his eyes. "Death couldn't keep us apart, my love," he whispers as a gentle smile forms on his lips. He's lost and overwhelmed as feelings of love, joy, sadness, and hope overtake him.

"Teoki!" A soft voice rises. He startles as a beautiful young and petite woman approaches his desk. "Didn't you hear me knocking? I called you several times." The young woman's voice changes quickly to concern as she sees his glassy eyes. "Teoki, w-what happened? What has upset you?"

He shakes his head but does not speak as he tries to pull his thoughts together. After a long pause, he speaks with trembling lips. "Okay, I-I was just reading something that was touching. Nothing important." The young woman narrows her eyes and raises a questioning eyebrow.

"Uh, really? You want to try that again? I'm your best friend and have managed your affairs for eight years. Try again!" For a man that's never lost for words, he is defenseless in this moment. Knowing she won't understand, he tries to conceal the photo.

"What's that?" She reaches down and takes the picture just as he tries to push the envelope over it.

"Min Li, don't..."

"Oh my God, Teoki!" As Min Li lifts the photo, her jaw drops and she gasps, placing a hand over her mouth.

"Oh My God! It looks just like him. How is t-this possible? A Perfect replica of a human no longer here," she says as her eyes spill over with tears. Teoki reaches forward and returns the photo to the top of his vintage desk.

"Perfect, isn't he?" Teoki whispers with a hint of adoration. "Except, if you look closer, he has a tiny little mole on his nose. Look," Teoki says as he points to the photo and Min Li leans in.

"W-Who is this guy? And w-why do you have these photos?" Min Li stammers as Teoki says nothing and focuses his eyes downward on the gorgeous young man in the photo,

"Teoki you're scaring me," Min Li says as she moves next to him behind his desk. Gently, she places her hand on his shoulder and softly speaks. "Darling, our sweet Saeji has been gone for 5 years. I know you miss your husband and I miss my brother. But it's not him. There's a difference in his eyes that only someone who has loved our Saeji could see."

"Maybe, h-he came back." He gives a fleeting upward glance and then returns his gaze to his fixated position on the photo. "He said he'd never leave me. I've never loss hope," Teoki says.

Min Li knows this is not good and reaches for the photo...

"Don't touch it!" His voice is harsh and Min Li steps back.

"Teoki, please let me call your doctor. Please don't go down this road. Promise me you won't contact this person or interfere in his life. Our Saeji died on that bridge 5 years ago."

"Min Li, I'm j-just reminiscing," he smirks, putting the photo back in the large file and closes it. "Everything is okay. Please don't worry about me," he smiles softly as he pivots to his computer.

"Okay Teoki. If you say so," Min Li says, yet knowing better. Her smile is soft, concealing all of her sadness and concern. "Oh yeah, I wanted to ask you about that character who was in here. There's something about him that I don't like. Why is it that when he greeted me and smiled, I felt the urge for a shower? He's not usually the type we do business with." Teoki leans back in his chair and laughs as Min Li places a hand on her hip.