Chapter 20

One other big change happened by accident. Didn’t they all. I was at the fights one night and two Chinese gangs had each put a girl up to fight. One girl was supposed to be one of the best fighters out there and had trained under some well known senseis. The problem was that the other girl was also very good. The crowd was close to the taped off area for the fight and during one short moment someone from the crowd tripped the girl as she was starting her attack. No one knows if it was an accident or not or even who did it but the other girl jumped on her and before she could recover was beaten down and lost the fight. She was moved off to a corner and the next fight started. At the end of the night, the gang that brought her was gone and she was left behind.

Wang said, “The gang members lost a lot of money. She also dishonored the gang. She’s dead to them. She’s on her own.”

“What does that mean?”

“She has no place to live or family that will take her in. She was part of the gang.”

“Can you get her stuff?”

“I’ll go talk to them. I doubt she has much.”

“I’ll make sure she sees a doctor and gets medical attention.”

“You are a good man, Bull.”

The ER looked at me funny when I brought her in but when I answered all their questions, they seemed satisfied that I had no clue about her and wasn’t an abusive boyfriend. I was just a good Samaritan. I ended up calling a cab and taking her to my place. I put her in the guestroom. She had a slight concussion and a few broken ribs. Her face was black and blue. It was also very swollen. Wang stopped by with some clothes and a small box of pictures and her passport. She’d been here for a while in the states and had a US passport. Her name was Meixiu which Wang told me meant Beautiful Grace. I was going to call her Mexi but decided to call her Grace instead.

He went in to talk to her. He was there for almost an hour. When he came out, he said, “I explained what had happened and she was ashamed of her loss. She understood the honor of the triad. I told her that you had taken her for medical treatment and were just trying to help her out. She wants to know if you own her now. It was hard for her to understand who she belonged to. She is so used to a life where she belongs to her family, then the triad, now no one. She does speak English so she can talk to you. She was afraid last night and feels bad about pretending she didn’t speak English.”

Wang left a little later and thanked me again for looking out for his people. I brought her some soup to sip as she healed. She had her own bathroom and if she moved slowly, it wasn’t too painful for her to get to and from the bathroom and her bed. I stayed home more often and would tell her when I was going out. It was just a few days later when I was giving her some food that she asked, “Bull, what is going to happen to me?”

She was a small girl but all muscle and not any fat on her body. She had a pretty face or would when it healed. I said, “This is America. You can do anything that you want. What would make you happy?”

“Can I belong to you? You are the nicest man I’ve ever met.”

It made me stop. “I don’t own people but I have many that work for me. Would you like to work for me?”

“I would love to serve you however you want. What could I do?”

“I live alone. I need a cook, a maid, a driver. I also own different places if you like to cook or serve food. What are you good at?”

“I can fight, I don’t know about the rest. I can cook and clean but have never done that for a job.”

“Let’s get you healed up first and then we can see what you can do. Do you have any schooling?”

“I used to help my grandfather keep books when I was younger. I can do that.”

“We’ll see. Just get better first.”

I asked Wang to get her some clothes that would be good for casual and something more formal in case we had to go out. He stopped by with a woman that was older. She was a seamstress and had Grace try on the clothes and make adjustments. She came out after a while and bowed deeply to me. “Mr. Bull you take good care of Meixiu. She say, you not use her but take care of her and help her heal. She now have clothes to wear and is healthy enough to go out.”

Wang looked at me and when the seamstress went back to pack up her things, he said, “I was told at the spa that the girls now all want to take care of the nuru for Mr. Bull. That your tips are big and so are other parts. I was concerned that you would take advantage of Meixiu. Mrs. Chen came along to talk to her. You are gaining much respect in my community. The people that work at your spa have nothing but good things to say about how they’re treated, where they live, their pay and how kind you are.”

“I treat people how I would want to be treated.”

“Most white people look down on the Chinese. You have been a different person than what was expected since I first met you. Let me know if Meixiu needs anything.”

The next morning she came out of the bedroom freshly showered and dressed in nice clothes. “Mr. Bull, I’m still healing but don’t need to stay in bed any more. I’ll start cooking and cleaning today.”

“No, I’ve been at home too long. I need to get out. You can ride with me.” She just nodded. I got her a pen and a notebook. “I want you to write down anything I tell you to write down and any questions you may have during the day. We can talk about them when we get home.”

As we were riding to the yacht club, I asked her, “Do you know how to drive?”

“I learned some but don’t know everything. I’ve never owned a car.”

“I need a driver. Do you know anyone or would you like to learn?”

She looked at her hands on her lap. Can you let my sister drive? She would have to learn but is almost as good a fighter as I am. We could protect you, Mr. Bull.”

“Do you mind that I call you, Grace?”

“It was odd the first time you said it but it makes me feel special and it’s my name in American language. I like it more every time you say it.”

“Where’s your sister?”

“She works at a laundry in Chinatown. She is a hard worker and will learn well.”

After meeting with Gary to go over some things, we took another cab to Chinatown and were let out at a laundry. We walked in and Grace walked to the back to talk to her sister. The man in charge asked me if he could help me. “My name is Bull. Meixiu wanted to talk to her sister. We should just be a minute. Do you have a phone I can use? I want to call a friend.”

He had a phone on the wall next to the counter and I called Wang’s number. His goon answered but this time didn’t give me a hard time. I told Wang where I was and he said he’d be right over. While I was waiting, Grace came out and said that her sister, Qi, was interested in the job.

I explained to Wang what I wanted to do and he went in to talk to the owner. I heard raised voices but soon Wang was back out front with Qi. He told me that Qi meant wonderous in English. She was a little taller, a little fuller and a little prettier than Grace.

Wang said, “She’s a good worker and the owner wasn’t happy about losing her. I told him I would bring him more help today. There are plenty of workers. If some can step out and up in society he or I shouldn’t hold them back. I’ll take care of everything Bull.”

We went back to my place after Qi had picked up her stuff. Again she packed her lifetime in a suitcase. They both went into the room that Grace was staying in and soon they were both out with me asking what they could do.

“Qi, I’ve spoken with your sister, Grace and I need a driver and an assistant. I want you both to learn how to drive and protect me. I’m going to put you in a school to learn. When you are trained you will work for me. Is that okay?”

“Yes Mr. Bull, my sister, Grace, as you call her, told me that and I’m happy to be out of the laundry.”

It took a few days but I found a school in Indianapolis that specializes in training security people. It was run by two former Secret Service agents. I first had to get them licensed to drive a car and that meant a few days working with a local driving school. Then I hired an off duty cabbie to teach them how to be proficient about driving and parking in the city. He drove with them 8 hours a day for a week. The car I rented for them was well worth the money. They could both drive me, drop me off and park all over the city. They were also more aware of locations all over the city and could navigate easily. The cabbie was happy with the tip and extra income.

They left for Indiana and were back a month later. I spoke to the instructor and he said they were both excellent fighters and good drivers. They did better with knives than guns but could both now handle a pistol, shotgun and rifle with proficiency. He said they did well alone but were amazing as a team. Again it wasn’t cheap but they were now someone that could offer their skills out to almost anyone in the world. He also said that there were many women that needed bodyguards and most preferred women if they were ever let go they would find work easily.

During those same few months, I was just checking on people and going about my rounds. Frederick and I had finally settled on a design for my residence on the 120th floor. I owned the whole floor and the floor below it but didn’t really need a 160,000 square foot apartment or even one tenth of that. I let Frederick talk me into five thousand square feet including servants quarters and building out the entire floor. My unit was done first along with the hallway and area around the elevator. I had the corner facing south and west down on the park.

It was ready about the same time that Grace and Qi finished their schooling. I picked them up at the airport in a new 1987 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit, black with tinted windows in the back. They both stopped and looked at the car. I tossed Qi the keys and held the door for Grace. She was about to step in but stopped. “Sir, as security, I get in last and out first.”

That didn’t fit with my sense of being a gentleman but I hired a female staff so I had to suck it up and climb in the back. When Qi had the seat and mirrors the way she wanted them she asked, “Where to, Sir?”

“The CPS building.”

She pulled up out front and I told her to valet the car and bring their bags with them. We rode up the elevator to the 120th floor and then down to the end of the hall. Their heads were on swivels taking in new surroundings and also scanning for trouble. I used a key to open the door and then let them both into the condo. The room was decorated as only Frederick could do and it was breathtaking with the view of southern Manhattan.

“What is this place?” asked Qi.

“This is our new home. I made some changes in my staff, transportation and living conditions.”

“This is where we’ll live?” Grace almost screamed.

“Yes, for now. I still have the place over at the other building but security has become something that is important to me. I think this place is more secure. I’ve seen a few girls peeking over the wall on the roof. I don’t want to have to put barbed wire around the top of the wall.”

They were both looking out at the view. I asked, “Would you like to see your rooms?”

They both turned but it seemed like it was just sinking in that when I said we would live here it meant them as well. Past the kitchen there was a hallway that led to four bedrooms all with their own bath and each overlooking southern Manhattan. My suite was at the other end of the apartment and overlooked Central Park and the West Side. On each dresser was their box of stuff from the other apartment and in the closet was all the clothes they didn’t take with them to Indiana.

Grace started to cry and sat down on her bed. Qi was crying too and sat next to her sister, holding her. I knew they were happy about their new home but after letting them go on for a little bit I said, “Stop crying. I can hire a maid so you don’t have to clean all this. It will be okay.” Grace started to laugh and smiled before getting up and coming over to hug me.

Carol came over later that day and welcomed me to the neighborhood the way only she could. She was happy that I had help and held her head high as she emerged from my bedroom after a few screaming orgasms. She saw Grace look at her and Carol just said, “Get used to it. I’m sure I won’t be the only one.”

I took the girls and Carol down to the private lounge for dinner and they all loved the food. There were more than a few athletes in town and being late September the NFL was in full swing. The pool table was being used and I also saw the guy that was trying out for the Jets. I walked over to say hello. He remembered me and said, “I got picked up by the Jets and after looking around, just bought a condo in the building here. This place is like an island of peace in a city of chaos.”

“I just moved in as well. Welcome to the building, neighbor.”

“What floor are you on?”

“120th, just below the penthouse.”

“I’ve never been up that high in the building. Maybe I can come up and check out the view some time?”

“Sure but you also have access to the roof if you want to see 360 degrees.”

“Really, no one told me that. It would have been a big selling point.”

“We keep things quiet unless we want people to know.”

“I feel like this is my own personal bar and spa sometimes. I’m here and people I know or invite are here.”

“The numbers will increase but we don’t ever want people just walking in off the street or your friends will stay in their rooms or go somewhere else.”

“I’m sorry but I’m just trying to figure out, if you work here, live here or both?”

“I own part of the building including the hotel and restaurants and spas. I own the timeshare and a few other floors.”

“You look younger than me but I make good money so I can’t fault you for doing the same.” He said, “Is it alright that I invited the guys down here? I played with this team last year. Most are good friends.”

“That’s why it’s here. This place and the spa.”

“I’ll let them know. I’m hooked on acupuncture and the massages are almost daily for me.”

“I’m sure that I’ll run into you there often.”

He asked about getting to the roof and told him to use his key card like the bar and he took a couple buddies and headed for the elevator. He probably made four or five trips as they were all blown away with the view. They all wanted to get traded to NY.

Later that night Qi pointed to the ceiling over the door. “What’s that?”

Looking up I had forgotten all about that. I told them both to follow me and I opened a door to a hall closet near my bedroom. Turning right, I walked in and typed a code and a door opened. The room was 10x15 and had TV monitors on a desk. I said, “This is our safe room. We have a safe in here for guns and money.” I pointed that out. I also said, “There are also cameras in the hallway, kitchen and family room.

They looked at the TV cameras to see what they could see. They nodded when they saw this could help security. I told them the combination to the door and to the safe. When I opened it they saw the guns, ammo and cash. They weren’t sure they wanted access to the amount of money they saw in the safe but were smiling at the guns.

We had a talk later that night in the living room. I started by saying, “Before you came back from your classes, I never had a driver, I never had security, I never had a cook or a maid. I could afford them and they may have been helpful but I never felt the need for them. I still don’t but that could change. As it was pointed out to me, I have some money and you never know what someone may do to get it.”

They nodded as I continued. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to guard me here at the condo. I also don’t want you to feel like you need to stay in your room the whole time. This is your home too. I have a whole suite with a bed, bath, sitting area and mini kitchen. It’s a big bedroom. If I need privacy, I’ll go in there or ask you to give me privacy. Otherwise feel free to treat this as your home and do whatever you would do in your own home. If I’m going down to the spa or to have a drink you can stay here or come along but I don’t expect you to come along just to protect me.