Pearls of Asia: A Love Story (15 page)

“That’s impressive,” said Mac, his natural curiosity piquing between bites of peppers and cheese. “I was wondering how supportive a family would be about their son becoming a daughter. Do you mind telling me what happened?”

“Not at all. My parents named me Stanford. Stanford Samonte; a good boy’s name, after my mother’s brother. But my older sister and some of her girlfriends knew I was different, and they would let me wear their clothes and put on makeup when no one was looking. My sister’s best friend was Reyna, whom you met the other night at
Pearls of Asia
. One time she saw me dressed up, so she decided to enter me in a local transsexual beauty pageant. She did my makeup, gave me one of her gowns, and took me to the pageant.”

“A transsexual beauty contest?” questioned Mac. “You mean there is such a thing?”

“Yes, and I won! I was crowned Queen of Cebu, one of the most prestigious titles in all the Philippines. I had just turned sixteen years old, and it was the happiest moment of my life. It was a real turning point for me.”

“That’s incredible,” marveled Mac, truly amazed by Sheyla’s story. “What happened after that?”

“I went home that night to this God-awful, grimy little two-room apartment we all lived in; my mother and father, my sister and me. I felt so good. I took a big chance and didn’t change my clothes or try to hide who I was any more. As I stood there in my wig and fancy dress, wearing lipstick and mascara, I announced that from that moment on I was going to live my life as a woman.”

“That must have been quite a shock to your parents.”

“You have no idea. My mother was speechless, but my father was infuriated. He stood up, enraged, and screamed at me, ‘Look at you,’ he yelled at the top of his lungs, ‘you’re a disgrace. You have brought shame to our family. Leave. Leave now. Get out of my house.’” Sheyla’s eyes began to glisten, and a tear started rolling down her cheek.

“I’m so sorry,” said Mac. “That must have been terrible.”

Sheyla dabbed a napkin beneath her eye. “Those were the last words my father ever said to me,” she said while sniffling. “My mom came to me a week later and gave me what little savings she had, along with this ring her mother had given to her. She was so brave to give it to me instead of my sister. I love her so much. Then I caught a plane and moved to Thailand…but that’s another story for another time.”

Sheyla opened a compact from her purse to check her makeup. “Oh dear, I look like hell. Excuse me while I run off to the ladies room. If you see Nicole, ask her to bring me a Mimosa. I need one after telling you that story.”

While Sheyla went to powder her nose, Mac recalled the last words his father ever said to him. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” announced Jack Fleet, upon hearing from his only son that he would be receiving a special commendation medal from Chief of Police David Stone after graduating at the top of his class at the Police Academy.

One week later, at the graduation ceremony, Jack Fleet was a mysterious no-show. Chief Stone, cognizant of the raw emotions of his number one recruit, treated Mac and his mother to a celebratory dinner. The next day Mac showed up at his father’s barren apartment in North Beach, only to learn that just days earlier he had sold all his personal belongings and fled the country. Jack Fleet never told anyone why he left, or where he was going.

Sheyla returned ten minutes later, sparkling with fresh mascara and ruby red lipstick. Her Mimosa was already waiting for her.

“Tell me, Miss Samonte, how did you pick the name Sheyla?”

Sheyla took a sip from her just arrived Mimosa. It was perfect, and her mood brightened by a factor of ten. “Believe it or not, it was Reyna who first called me Sheyla. I had chosen the name Sheila—S-H-E-I-L-A—which in Latin means ‘blind.’ I had this noble idea that I wanted to be judged by my actions, not by my looks. How silly of me, right? Anyway, Reyna thought I should try to find something unique, so I changed it to Sheyla—S-H-E-Y-L-A.”

“Reyna helped pick out your name?”

“She did. Don’t you think it fits me?”

“Like a tight sweater,” he answered while flashing her a dimpled smile. Mac caught himself flirting with her. He needed to get the conversation back to business.

“Miss Samonte, I know Paul Osher has been very generous with you. We have his bank and credit card statements, so we know how much money you’re receiving from him each month. Are those your terms or his?”

Sheyla took a moment to polish off her eggs benedict before sliding over the plate of blueberry crepes. Mac added up the calories in his head and wondered how she could eat like a defensive lineman and still maintain a figure worthy of a swimsuit model.

“I’ve never asked him for anything, but we have an understanding.”

“An understanding? That’s quite the understatement. He’s paying you a king’s ransom.”

Sheyla picked up her napkin and wiped a dollop of syrup from the side of her mouth. She turned her lips to Mac’s ear, while at the same time placing her hand on his lap, close to his Happy Zone. “You have to remember something, Mac. I’m a special girl…and I’m worth it.”

Sheyla once again placed a kiss on Mac’s cheek, only this time he didn’t pull away. Mac had never been around a woman so bold, who used her femininity to such an advantage. Sheyla’s energy was exhilarating, and she possessed an aura that was unlike any woman he had ever met. Mac paused a moment to admire her. Sheyla was all woman, and an amazing one at that. She had beauty, style and class. Sheyla caught Mac staring at her and flashed a smile that said, ‘Yes.’

Mac decided it was time to pop the big question, the ostensible reason for this out-of-the-ordinary encounter. “Miss Samonte, where were you Thursday morning, say between one and two o’clock in the morning?”

“I already told you. I was at home, all by my lonesome I’m afraid.”

“And of course no one can verify that?”

“Not unless you want to ask my cat. Besides, why would I want to kill Paul’s wife? He gave me everything I could want. Why would I jeopardize that?”

“Maybe you wanted more. Maybe you wanted to marry him and live in that palace of his.”

Sheyla leaned back in her chair and laughed so hard she spilled a few drops of Mimosa onto her ultra-smooth thighs. “You’re joking, right? Paul already lets me live rent-free in one of his luxurious apartments. And he would never marry me. How long do you think it would take before the whole world learned he married a woman who worked at
Pearls of Asia
? He may have guts when it comes to business, but Paul would never be brave enough to marry a trans woman. Very few men do.”

“Would you marry him if he ever got the nerve to ask you?”

“Hell no!” she said, viciously stabbing a defenseless blueberry with her fork. “I’d rather stick pins in my eyes.”

Nicole came over to clear their table. “My goodness, Sheyla. As usual, you managed to eat everything on your plate. What will this do to your fabulous figure? I think you and this gorgeous hunk of maleness need to have a few hours of raging sex to burn off some calories.”

“We’re not there yet,” she purred while handing Nicole her credit card. “This is our first date. I must say he’s been quite the gentleman.”

“Your first date! How exciting. Have you had ‘The Conversation’ yet?”

“Not yet.” Sheyla began running her fingers through Mac’s hair. Women had a habit of doing that to him. Luckily for them, he didn’t mind.

“What is ‘The Conversation?’” asked Mac.

“Well, Mr. Mac,” answered Nicole, “it’s the discussion we special girls have when a man gets interested in us. He gets to ask all sorts of questions, you know, ‘TG 101’ kind of stuff: why, when, how come? We call it ‘The Conversation’ because you have to have it if you want to keep seeing each other. I’ve even thought of handing out a list of ‘frequently asked questions’ just to save time.”

“I’m saving that for our next date,” said Sheyla, smacking her lips after having just applied fresh lipstick.

“Next date?” remarked Mac, taken by surprise. “I don’t think so, Miss Samonte.”

“Yes, Mac. There will be a next date. You know you want to learn more about me; to find more pieces to my puzzle.” She playfully flirted with him by flipping her long hair over her shoulder. “Plus, I want to wear something naughty and dazzle you while I’m telling you all about myself.”

Mac wondered what a real ‘date’ with Sheyla would be like. Even the sight of her putting on lipstick was sensual. Sheyla was exotic and stunning, no doubt, but now Mac noticed the softness of the skin on her sun-kissed shoulders, and her lovely brown eyes, so bright, alluring and mischievous. He became aware of the gentle curves of her breasts, and legs that seemed to go on forever. Her rich brown hair, so soft and luxurious, fell perfectly onto her shoulders.. Her kissable lips, the ones that were smiling at him, were nothing less than a work of art.

As they were about to leave the restaurant, Mac heard a woman call out his name. He turned and recognized Melanie, a female patrol officer from his precinct who was brunching with a group of girlfriends. Mac handed Sheyla the keys to The Sub and told her he’d meet her outside.

“Mac, what a surprise to see you,” said Melanie. “Who’s the hot date? She’s a knockout!”

“You should know me by now, Melanie. She’s just a friend.”

“Oh, shut up, you freak. You two look like more than just ‘friends.’ Don’t worry, Mac. It’ll be our little secret.” Mac made small talk with Melanie and then sprinted to The Sub, praying he had dodged a bullet.

WHILE DRIVING SHEYLA BACK
to her South Beach apartment, Mac thought about what his mother had told him earlier, how the courage it took to transition from one sex to the other not only deserved, but also demanded, his respect. He also thought about Sheyla, and the stories she told him about her journey.

“Miss Samonte, were you ever scared about becoming a transsexual? Wouldn’t it have been safer just to stay ‘normal?’”

Sheyla stared out the window, enjoying the buzz of a three-cocktail feast with a studly man on a beautiful September afternoon. “Being a transsexual doesn’t scare me, Mac, but being ‘normal’ does.”

Mac nodded his head, and rode the rest of the way in silence.

MAC ESCORTED SHEYLA TO
the lobby door of her building. Mr. Doorman recognized him and flashed a discrete “thumbs up” signal. Mac wasn’t sure how to say goodbye. Though they had covered a lot of ground, Mac didn’t know how, or if, he would see her again.

As he was about to open the door for her, Sheyla turned toward Mac, wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a long, steamy kiss. Mac could feel his shorts tighten. Again.

“So do I get to see you tomorrow night?” she begged.

This was a dangerous question. Sheyla was still a person of interest in the case. Her alibi was shaky at best, and the smart thing for Mac to do was to just say “no.” Besides, they had already been caught out in public together, and he couldn’t risk letting that happen again. And, though he enjoyed her company, it didn’t change the fact that Sheyla wasn’t his type of girl.

“How about Tuesday?” he said, throwing every logical thought he just had out the window.

“I work that night, but I’ll be done by eleven.

“I’ll see you at eleven.”

C
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Monday, September 15, 2008 - 1:45 am