“Ah,” I replied. “I’m not a party-every-night kind of guy.”
She pouted impressively, her deep red lips reminding me of ripe fruit. “I think you two deserve each other.” She pushed me toward Daiyu, then made a show of suppressing a bored yawn behind one hand. “Enjoy watching reruns together dressed in your onesies and sipping tea.” Angela waggled her fingers at us, then flitted off.
I laughed and shook my head. “I’m not sure I can even picture that. A onesie?”
“They’re pajama suits. Very soft. I have a purple one with cats all over it.” Daiyu was pressed against my side, where I had bumped into her with Angela’s playful shove.
I felt her warmth against my body. Neither of us moved or spoke.
Finally, she tilted her head, exposing the graceful column of her throat. “You look . . . uncomfortable.”
“I am . . .” I paused. Should I play the part or speak the truth? “Very uncomfortable. I don’t wear tuxes often, and I never attend extravagant galas.”
She adjusted my black satin bow tie, which Victor had tied with care, and swept both hands over my shoulders. “But you look the part so perfectly.” She smiled.
I hoped so.
Daiyu looped her arm in mine. “Let me introduce you to my friends.”
“Is your father at the party?” I asked as casually as I could.
She gave me a sidelong glance. “No. He’s on business abroad. California, in fact.”
I let her lead me to her small group of friends. They were selecting various delicacies being offered by two servers on silver trays.
“Finally, you’re back to introduce him.” A plump girl with silver waved hair winked at me. She wore a long, pink dress that accentuated her every curve and a thick diamond choker that must have been worth millions. Extending an ivory gloved hand, she said, “I’m Meiwen.”
I grasped her fingertips. “Hi, I’m Jason.”
She smiled up at me, expectant. Her eyes had been carefully lined in black, ending in a thick sweep. Meiwen reminded me of a young, Asian Marilyn Monroe. The yous who had celebrated with wild abandon at the New Year’s party with their angel wings and dragon-scaled skin were gone. Instead, everyone had opted for old-fashioned affluence and glamour tonight.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, and let go of her hand, but she held on for just a moment longer. Was I supposed to have given her a kiss on her hand, or leaned in to kiss her cheek? Too late. I could explain away any missteps by saying I was from abroad.
Daiyu introduced me to the other four yous, and I shook each of their hands.
One friend, Joseph Chen, clasped my palm tightly, as if in some contest of strength, and held it even longer than Meiwen had. “Whereabouts from California are you from?” he asked, staring me in the eyes.
“Los Angeles, but I studied in the Bay Area,” I replied.
“Nice city,” he said. “So you went to boarding school?”
I pulled my hand back; I was in no mood to play his alpha-male game.
“No, Cal,” I said in English. “I went to Berkeley.”
His eyes widened a touch behind his black Cartier frames, an accessory to match his tuxedo, I was certain, as all yous had perfect vision.
“Your family is friends with the Jins?”
Daiyu was standing beside me, talking to Angela, who had returned to the group after grabbing a tray with more champagne-filled glasses, which were quickly distributed. The other three yous sipped their drinks, pretending to follow Angela’s chatter, when they were really eavesdropping on me and Joseph. The orchestra was playing loud enough that we had to speak in raised voices.
“I’m friends with Daiyu.” I gave him a friendly smile. “What about you?” I could tell by the way he was acting that he and Daiyu had probably known each other since they were young, and he’d probably harbored a crush for her since he’d hit puberty.
Daiyu passed a glass to me. “Are you conducting a job interview, Joe?” She leaned into me, touching my sleeve casually with her fingertips. No one missed the gesture.
“Just trying to find out more about the new guy,” Joseph replied, tilting his glass back and taking a long gulp of champagne.
“There’s not much to find out,” I said. “I’ve lived a pretty sheltered life.”
Angela burst into laughter, and a few parents turned their heads to look in our direction. “The way you look?” She winked at me. “I don’t believe it.”
I resisted the urge to glance down—was my shirt untucked? Instead, I grinned and winked back.
“It’s wonderful of you to attend and donate to such a great cause, Jason,” Meiwen said. She swept back a silver wave with a gloved hand, her bejeweled finger catching the light.
“I’m here to support Daiyu.” I took a sip from my own glass, wishing I had a cold beer instead.
“The Children’s Foundation does so much for the kids in Taipei,” Daiyu said. “The proceeds raised tonight will all be donated to go toward food, shelter, and medical care for children in need.”
“You do wonderful work,” a petite girl named Helen replied. She seemed to be a couple with Yongming, a muscular guy who looked like he was ready to bust out of his jacket. “And you know I love any chance to see Yong Yong in a tux!” The pet name she used for him confirmed my impression.
“What about you, Jason?” Helen asked. “Have you done any charity work?”
“I did help to rebuild homes in LA before,” I lied. “But nothing like this.”
“A man who goes out and gets his hands dirty,” Angela cooed. “I like it.”
I swallowed my champagne too fast, and coughed into the back of my hand.
Meiwen laughed. “You never quit, Ange.” She stopped a waiter bearing a tray of cream puffs and selected one, nibbling on it delicately.
Angela took one too, but I passed. I could never get used to the idea of eating small bites of finger foods. Only those who had never gone hungry could really enjoy it. But despite the ostentatious lavishness of the gala, I was surprised that these yous cared enough to donate money for a mei cause.
“That sounds . . . charming,” Joseph said, his tone indicating that he thought it was anything but. “Though I do believe it’s better to put money behind something.”
“Money is always nice . . . ,” I said. “For those who have it.”
Meiwen blinked, Yongming’s dark eyebrows drew together, and Angela tilted her head, then took a long drink. The waiter drifted by again, and Angela picked up another cream puff. I almost laughed out loud, but the absurdity of it was quickly replaced by anger.
“What do you mean by that?” Joseph asked.
“I mean that the Children’s Foundation seems like an organization that does a lot to help,” I replied. “But maybe the best way to help is to prevent their parents from dying so young.”
Daiyu’s friends met each other’s gazes in bewilderment.
“Dying from hunger and illness exacerbated by our polluted air and water, from the tainted foods,” I went on, somehow keeping my voice even. “Maybe if more Taiwanese could actually live longer, there wouldn’t be so many orphans in need?”