Free CHASING LIFE by Steve Jovanoski Page B

as if the idea hadn’t even registered. There was something about meeting an Aussie compatriot in an unknown country. It placed Dave at ease. Despite the fact that he’d just met him, Dave felt like he could trust the man like one of his mates. He wondered whether he would do exactly the same and welcome a shabby stranger if the roles were reversed. Somehow it felt like an unwritten rule that you look after your own. It was an obligation, an understanding and no words or explanation was required. But it was a trust Dave felt he had to show he was worthy of. His night had turned around.

Chapter 9
     
    What happened en route to Serene was quite unexpected. Nearly every other person who passed by them greeted Sam. Couples invited him over for a drink; women kissed him on the cheek; and even the Frenchman from the bistro did so in typical European style as they went by again. F arther down the road, a cluster of girls came out of a venue to say hello. Sam responded genuinely each time. He knew everyone’s name and greeted each person appropriately: American guys with a bear hug; Europeans with a welcoming kiss on the cheek; and conservative Asian girls with a limp handshake. It was like walking down a red carpet with a celebrity.
    ‘Mate, is there anyone you don’t know?’ Dave asked, trying not to sound too awestruck.
    ‘It’s a great part of the job, ’ Sam brushed it off and started pointing at bars Dave could visit, giving him a brief history of the owners and a rundown on the type of places they were as if he were a tour guide. They walked into the lounge bar called Serene. The place was packed but mostly with guys. Sam turned around and looked at Dave.
    ‘It’s a sausage fest here —girls get free wine and champagne so they can draw a crowd. We’ll go somewhere else soon.’ He led on further inside through the crowd until they reached the bar where two attractive girls sat. They greeted Sam with beaming expressions. Judging by the passionate kiss one of them laid on Sam, Dave realised this was the girlfriend, Carla. She stood confidently, like a woman aware of her own beauty. She wore a sexy black dress that complimented her curves. Her curly shoulder-length hair swayed across her face every time she turned. It reminded Dave of a hair product commercial.
    Sam introduced Dave to the two girls, Carla and Erin. They were both of Asian appearance but Erin was more of a mix. Erin’s eyes were closer to European, brown and alluring. Sam gave the girls a brief story of his encounter with Dave at the French bistro.
    ‘What brings you to Hong Kong , Dave?’ Carla asked in an American accent while twirling her fingers in Sam’s hair. Her slightly slurred words and red face betrayed her tipsy state. Carla had a friendly look about her with glowing cheeks, which could possibly be due to the wine, Dave thought. Everything about her was womanly, from her voluptuous figure to her mannerisms. Dave could see why Sam had stuck with Carla out of the many potentials at his disposal.
    ‘A holiday,’ he replied almost hesitantly. It was a question he struggled increasingly to answer.
    ‘In one word how do you like it so far?’ her companion Erin asked.
    ‘I guess I’d have to say “ interesting”,’ answered Dave.
    ‘That’s boring. Surely you can come up with something else, ’ she tilted her head up and looked directly at him.
    ‘Take my seat , Dave,’ Carla said as she got up and wrapped her arms around Sam.
    ‘Are you sure?’
    ‘Yes, just sit down,’ Carla insisted. Dave obliged and adjusted himself in the seat next to Erin and for the first time looked her over properly. An electric pulse surge through his body as if he was zapped. Erin sat cross-legged in hipster jeans and an elegant white shirt opened halfway down her chest. The simplicity of her clothing was stunning. Wavy brown hair rested over her shoulders and back, giving her a fresh and carefree look. But it was her eyes. They were unusual. There