The Vietnamese Korean, Scott - 2007

She works at a small hotel i stayed in. Her name is Clara. I was staying for a week in a small tourist town on leave from university. I'd decided to travel on my own around Australia for a few months before returning home to my graduation and my wedding to Leanne. I love Leanne don't get me wrong but we'd always been together, my parents, my studies, Leanne and me. I just needed a little adventure, some time to myself. I didn't expect to meet Clara, and i certainly didn't plan to betray Leanne. I don't know what happened i just got swept up in Clara. There was a Halloween party in a good club down town. All the Hotel guests and most of the staff where going. She dressed up as a Vietnamese girl, in a long silk dress, wooden shoes and her long black hair swept up under a grass hat, her dark eyes and red lips painted in traditional make up. She looked like a goddess stepping out of one of my fathers paintings. We all set off together, i was a bit shy not knowing anyone and keeping to the back of the group. I felt under dressed not in costume myself. She lagged behind talking to me, she asked if she made a nice Korean girl. She knew i was Korean, she was just trying to get my attention, and it worked. She pulled out a mask for me to ware and took off her hat so i could be in costume too, fussing over me and running her hands delicately through my hair. I was glad for the mask as my face would have been bright red when i felt her hands on my cheeks adjusting it. We arrived at the club and had a few drinks, she smelt wonderful, it was intoxicating. She brought me a shot of Absinthe (the green fairy) and i brought her a beer in return. I pulled her into a corner and kissed her deeply. We danced and kissed until about 2am. I took her to a close by hotel, it was expensive but that night was worth it.I undressed her, she was beautiful, a few scars on her stomach but that just made her more attractive. Her skin was darker than id have thought, and her shape was much more curvy without the strait silk shift. That night was fantastic, she made me work hard. I slept that night, blissfully content. It wasn't till the morning that i remembered Leanne and guilt was stabbing at my chest. I took Clara out to dinner the next night, she spoke a little Chinese so the waiter gave us a discount, he followed her like a puppy the whole night. She took me back to her place after a few drinks and a walk. Her room smelt just like her skin, it was the Jasmin flowers that grew outside her window. Another night even better now i knew her body. I hadn't meant to stay the night, but again i was so blissfully unaware i fell asleep. Clara had woken up before me and greeted me half dressed looking beautiful with a cup of tea. "Who belongs to that ring?" She asked, "I didn't notice it before." She didn't look angry with me, just a bit sad and curious. The stab of guilt hit me again. I drank the tea and showed her a picture of Leanne on my mobile. "She's lovely." Clara wasn't angry at all, i understood, she felt guilty and sorry. The look of quiet pain and understanding just made me like her more. I talked for a while about why i was traveling, my lovely Leanne and the pressure of school and my parents. She seamed to understand. She gave me a kiss and i decided it was better if i left, so i walked back to my hotel deep in thought. It was my last day there, id already paid for my flight and Leanne was going to meet me in the next city for the last month before graduation. I called Clara and we walked together for a few hours, she knew i was leaving. We walked mostly in silence, it was sad but easy and peaceful. She smelled amazing. After the sun had left the sky we made love in a quiet spot in the park overlooking the sea. She left me there in the park with a kiss good-by. I flew out at 6am the next morning. I never did tell Leanne, and i don't plan to ever see Clara again, or any other girl for that matter. But it's my adventure and it's all mine to keep, my sweet beautiful Clara.