I have been dreaming up stories for years but, until recently, none had ever been shared.
Inspiration for some of the people and events described is drawn from my own experience, but it is overwhelmingly a work of fiction.
Constructive criticism is welcome.
Prologue
After graduating with a degree in International Finance I had landed a great job at a major consulting company. After a period at head office in London I was posted to Singapore as a member of the regional team.
A lie-in with a surprise
I didn't get home until nearly 2am. My flight had been delayed by a couple of hours, bad weather in Hong Kong, then there was a hold-up at Changi whilst they found somebody to operate the air-bridge and the final straw had been a lack of taxis.
After a couple of busy days seeing clients, I was exhausted. I didn't need to be in the office the next morning so I could afford a lie-in. After sending a message to my boss I stripped off, collapsed on my bed, and fell asleep instantly.
When I awoke the next morning, I was surprised to find Lily creeping around my room. Lily the Filipina who cleaned and tidied for me twice a week.
I should explain that I live in a serviced apartment. Think regular apartment with some hotel services, such as cleaning. Mine had one bedroom, a living room with a sofa, a dining table, and a basic kitchen. On Mondays & Thursdays a somebody would come in, usually Lily, to replace sheets and towels, and generally keep the place in shape. It was ideal for a single person, especially one that travelled a lot. Throw in the location, above a shopping centre and next to a metro station and it was perfect for me.
My schedule meant that Lily & I only met occasionally, but we got on well when our paths crossed. We even had a side deal whereby she organised my laundry for me. My work gear, suits and formal shirts, still went for dry-cleaning, but she did everything else using the machine in the apartment. That meant I saved a bit of money, and she could send more to her family in the Philippines. Win-win.
A lot of Filipinos go overseas to earn money, typically in menial jobs such as cleaning and construction. The money they send home is so important for the economy that there are special lanes reserved for them at Manila airport.
I knew that Lily's husband had run off leaving her with a young son and no money. Her sister looked after the boy, while Lily paid for his upkeep. She would see him for only a couple of weeks a year. A heart-breaking situation, but not a unique one.
"Sorry Mr Adam, I wanted to get your suit to the cleaners; it is so crumpled."
She was right, in my hurry to get to bed I had thrown it on the floor. That was fair enough, but the problem was that I was naked, without even a sheet covering me. Worse, I had an erection, and Lily knew it. I knew because Lily kept looking at it. I fumbled for the sheet I usually slept under, dragging it across me.
