The Memoirs of Cordelia Chan

I showered and dressed, and Langdon escorted me out to the car. I arrived at the Dojo about 10 minutes before class was due to start. Sumito was intrigued when I told her what had happened as she drove us back to my apartment. As I opened my purse to get out my key, I noticed the envelope. It was hand written in ink " To Cordelia, my sincerest thanks for a very pleasant evening. M." Sumito took the key from my hand, opened the door, and push me inside. " Open it then "
I turned it over. It was sealed with wax. I split the seal and opened it. There were ten $500 bills inside. Sumito sat me down and went to the desk. She took out a glass and the bottle of Saki and half filled it, handing it to me. I shook my head. " Its ok I don't need it. It was my choice. I actually quite enjoyed it."
"Are you going to see him again?"
"Funny. He asked me the same question."
"And are you?"
"I don't know. Do you mind if we don't go shopping. I'm rather tired."
"No. That's okay. You rest and I'll see you next week."
She kissed me lightly and let herself out. I put the money on the table, drained the glass, and went to sleep.

The first couple of weeks back at college were hectic, but by the third week I'd managed to settle into a routine. There were a few changes in the year group, we'd lost a few due to exam failures, and gained a few on transfer. One of these peaked my interest as did one of the new post grads. There was also another surprise for me, somebody had started a Martial Arts club.
The meeting had already started when I arrived. There were about 20 students there including 3 girls. I could tell most of them hadn't done this before, the exceptions being the three who I took to be Chinese, white, and white respectively. The class was being taught by a young black man in his late 20's. I climbed the benches and sat down to watch. After a while I recognized elements he was teaching as belonging to Jujitsu. I got up to leave.
"You're not going to join us."
"No."
"You might learn something useful."
"I doubt it."
"What makes you so sure."
"Because, it is likely I can teach you more than you can teach me."
"Care to put that to the test?"
I took off my jacket and shoes, and somersaulted to land in front of him. " I suggest you tell your class to move out of harms way."
The Chinese guy was watching me intently. The black guy ordered the class onto the benches, then bowed. He attacked without caution and managed to throw me, but failed with the follow through as I was not there any longer. He continued to press his attack and I had to work hard to block and avoid him. I began to probe his defenses, which caused his attacks to slow. After about 5 minutes I dropped my guard and he took the bait. He hit the floor before he'd taken half a step. The Chinese guy got up and walked over. He checked that he was still breathing and then bowed to me. "May I "
"If you wish,"
I bowed. Having seen me fight already he was far more cautious and he already had an edge. He began probing and I did like wise. We fought cautiously for about 10 minutes neither of us committing ourselves. I recognized his style and began to up the pressure. He chose to withdraw and bowed. I stepped away from him and did the same. " I'm Charles Liu. "
" Cordelia Chan."
"You fight well Cordelia. Where do you train?"
"The Phonix Dojo, in the Bay."
"You know Kung Fu, but that is not your main style. There are elements I recognize from Aikedo but I sense there is more you have not demonstrated. "
"Correct. I fight Bujinkan, which most people would call Ninjitsu."
"Then I'm glad I withdrew when I did. I'm not sure I could have beaten you. What belt are you?"
" Can we discuss this elsewhere. I could do with a drink."
"Sorry. Forgive me. Can I introduce Ryan and Veto. The guy you knocked out is Maxwell. He's not the first is he?"
I smiled. I retrieved my shoes and jacket, and we headed for the coffee shop leaving Maxwell in the recovery position with a couple of the others to watch him until help arrived. As we walked I explained the grading structure for Bujinkan. When I told then my black belt grading was not until December, they didn't believe me. Charles doubted I'd fail it.
Like most Chinese boys Charles had been taught to fight since he was about 4. Ryan had been fighting for a couple of years, and Veto since the spring. When I said I had to go because I had a class to get to Ryan and Charles asked if they could come as well. I didn't see why not. But they'd have to make their own way there.

I got a summons from my tutor the following day to the Deans office. " I understand you were in a fight yesterday during which you rendered one student unconscious and injured another before fleeing."
"No. Your facts are incorrect. The Sensei of the Martial arts club challenged me and didn't have the common sense to back down when he knew he couldn't win so I rendered him unconscious. I then fought a similar contest with one of the other students who realized he couldn't win and relinquished the fight. No one got hurt and I left with several of them after making sure the Sensei was breathing and in a position to do no harm to himself or anyone else."
" I take it you have witnesses who can confirm your version of events. "
"Yes."
"This is not the first time you've been in trouble is it Miss Chan."
"I don't know what you mean."
"The police have been making enquiries about you again. There is a note on your file regarding an incident in a Dojo in Chinatown last year."
"Can I see it?"
"No. Its confidential."
"If it contains information about me then I have a right to see it."
"I'm sorry but its confidential."
"Do I need to get my attorney involved?"
"No. That won't be necessary."
He passed me the file. I read its contents, and removed the sheet regarding the Dojo incident. "You can't do that Miss Chan."
"I can unless you'd like to find yourselves in court."
They just sat there. "Is there anything else?"
"No. Thank you for your time. You may return to your classes now."

The following day I got conformation through of the existence of Hu Liang Finance, and the necessary supporting bank accounts that I'd asked Griz and Majax to setup. Brent phoned me to say that the jackets and helmets had arrived along with an invoice that needed paying, and that they'd had to buy the first of the bikes back. Other than that everything was ok and custom was already up by 12%. I told him that Mitch had confirmed that the ad would go out at 10pm and 12:30am a week on Friday and twice a night for a week after that.

Friday turned out to be another interesting day. I'd gone to lectures as usual and we were half way through class, when the lecture was interrupted by the arrival of a delivery courier. " I'm looking for a Miss Cordelia Chan. I was told she should be here. "
The lecturer stopped. " Miss Cordelia Chan there appears to be a package for you. I would appreciate it if in future deliveries from admirers were not made during my lectures."
I got up, and the class watched me as I went to the from to collect what ever it was. The courier handed me a ribbon wrapped red box, about 3 feet long, 18 inches wide, and 6 inches thick. "Sign here please.". I took the box and returned to my seat.
"You can open it later Miss Chan. With your permission I shall continue."
The lesson dragged somewhat after that for I was dying to know what was in the box and more importantly who sent it, although I had an idea. I went to the refectory after the lecture where I was ambushed by Charles and Ryan who wanted to know what was in the box. I told them if they sat down and waited, or preferably got me a glass of orange and a cheese bagel they'd find out. Ryan volunteered to go.
I set the box down on the table and undid the ribbon. Inside on top of the tissue was a card "Mr Marcus Trent requests the company of Miss Cordelia Chan at a social gathering at 7pm this evening. Please ring 555 782 862 to confirm arrangements.". I lifted the tissue. As I lifted the dress out I heard Charles whistle and the room went quiet for a couple of seconds. Ryan returned with my lunch, "Shit Cordelia. Who do you know that sends you thousand dollar dresses?"
Charles handed him the card. If it had been anybody else I doubt they'd have caught the tray with the food on it as Ryan nearly dropped it. "You know Marcus Trent? Do you know who he is?"
"Some guy I met in a bar."
"You really don't know?"
I shrugged, I was still looking at the dress. Carefully I folded it up and put it back in the box. Ryan was talking again. "He's a financier. Big in venture capital. Made most of his money asset stripping. Somewhat of a recluse by all accounts, never married, although there are stories. "
"And how come you know so much about him? "
"I've heard my father talk about him. I think he got burned at some point. Keeps a big file on him."
"What yer going to do Cordelia? You know he's probably only after one thing."
"That's my business isn't it."
Charles went red, and Ryan looked away. "Hey look sorry Cordelia. Its not really any of my business. We're still cool aren't we."
"Yes."
I sat down and ate my lunch. Charles changed the subject and Ryan watched me barely saying a word. When I finished eating, I said I'd see them Sunday at weapons training, and then went and made a phone call. A car would pick me up at 6:15.

The event was some financiers charity ball, and I was there as an ornament to be shown off. We ate dinner and then adjourned to the ballroom. Marcus was an accomplished dancer, which was just as well because I wasn't. After a couple of dances I excused myself and went in search of the ladies. As I was redoing my makeup a middle age lady who I'd been introduced to earlier approached me. " Are you sleeping with him dear? "
" What's it to you."
"Just some friendly advice. Make the most of it whilst you can. It won't last. He'll find another young pretty thing to play with in a few months. If you play your cards right you should have a decent clientele by then. Don't waste the talents nature gave you."
I'd finished my makeup and turned to leave. "Remember what I've said and don't lose your heart to him. You wouldn't be the first to wind up naked in a back street alley."
We left the ball about 1am and got to his penthouse at about 2. I asked him if he was tired. When he said no I replied good and dragged him in the direction of the bedroom.
It was gone 8 when I woke. I didn't bother with the sheet. As I approached the bathroom I heard the sound of running water. This was going to be easier than I'd thought. As I entered the shower Marcus turned to face me obviously reading my mind, "You're going to be late for class. "
"They can wait."
He didn't satisfy me the first time, and wasn't able to recover in time to try again before I had to leave. "You'd better do better next time " I said as I left "or it'll be your last."
It was nearly 11 by the time I arrived. Sumito was about the only one left and noted the car and the overnight case I was carrying. "You could have left a message that you'd be late. "
"Sorry I was busy."
She burst out laughing and I couldn't help but join in. We went back to my apartment and I showed her the dress. " Are we shopping today or are you sleeping?"
"Shopping."
She'd come into the bedroom and caught me examining myself. "That must hurt."
"A bit."
"Cordelia you must take more care or you'll do yourself harm. How do you know he's not carrying something?"
I looked at her. "I'm serious Cordie. Go to a clinic on Monday. Get yourself checked out. If not for your sake then for mine or Choi's. "
I looked at her. "You're not the only one she talks to. I know about her helping you with the book, and about you getting carried away the other week. She's still a minor Cordie."
I considered my pants collection and opted for a knee length skirt instead. I put on a t-shirt and grabbed my jacket. "Well, are we shopping or are you going to spend the afternoon lecturing me?"

I went to the clinic Monday as Sumito had asked me to. The examination was painful as I was still very sore. They took a blood sample and some swabs and told me to come back on Thursday. I was advised not to have sex until at least the end of the week.
The rest of the week passed more or less without incident.
Maxwell approached me in the refectory, Wednesday lunchtime and asked me to teach a few classes. I told him I'd think about it.
On Thursday I went back to the Clinic. The tests had all been clear, and the doctor was surprised when he couldn't find a trace of bruising or soreness when he examined me.
I phoned Jacob, the motorcycle cop, and told him the ad was being run Friday night.
Friday I dropped in to the motorcycle lot check everything was ready and that Jena and Brent were coping ok. I noticed several new bikes in the lot. Business was apparently very good. I told them to take a commission on new bikes and service contracts they sold.
I chose to stay in that evening, catch up on some course work, and watch the ad. About 5 minutes after it ended the phone rang. It was Huo-Jin. He sounded really annoyed. He asked me what my plans were for the morning. I told him. He told me not to go to the lot without a police escort. I asked him why. He told me he didn't want me to be the cause of a riot. I agreed to wait for the escort.
It turned out to be a good thing I did, as Jacob, turned out to be my escort. When I answered the door he said "I guessed you'd be wearing that. Please don't take off your jacket when we get there."
As we left the apartment block I got a wolf whistle chorus from the crowd of local kids who'd gathered outside. How some of them had seen the ad I could only guess at. The scene at the lot was bedlam. There were about 40 bikers, and at least as many again on lookers. Half a dozen motorcycle cops and 1 squad car were keeping order. On the opposite side of the street there were half a dozen women and 1 poor guy waving placards with "End exploitation now, Equal rights for women " and such like sprayed on them.
As I rode onto the lot I got a big cheer from the bikers. I took my helmet off and put it on the bike. I unzipped the jacket and crossed the street to the pickets. "Exploitation only occurs when the person isn't working for themselves. Now go home before you make bigger fools of yourselves than you already have."
I walked back across the street. Jacob was watching me. I smiled. His reactions were no match for mine and I had the jacket off before he'd covered half the distance to me." Limited edition jackets available inside boys." I yelled over the cheers and wolf whistles.
Jacob pushed me inside. " I told you not to do that "
"Yes. But you knew I was going to anyway. Do you want a coffee?"
"Yes."
"Why don't you come through to the office."
Brent and Jena were watching me. Jena mouthed " You wouldn't dare "
I smiled back at her. Jacob followed me into the office and I shut the door behind him. "Take a seat" I said gesturing to the low one by the desk. As he sat I reached under my skirt and removed my pants. "You don't mind do you, its just they were irritating me."
I poured two coffees and put his on the corner of the desk and then sat on it. He could now see directly up my skirt. " Could you give me a hand with my boots " I said extending my left leg. As he made to stand up I said " On second thoughts you could give me a hand with the suspender belt. "
I stood up and backed into him, grabbing his right hand a shoving it between my legs. It had the desired effect. He removed his hand and hurriedly undid his pants. I heard the gunbelt hit the floor and reached between my legs. As he pushed home I heard the door open and Jena said "When you've finished could we have use of you out here." He went limp.
"Bitch I'll get you for that."
She closed the door.