This is my first story to publish. It is based on a true story. The time frame was compacted to make a better story.
It had been a hell of a 48 hours. Four different flights including a 16 hour layover at Shanghai, but I was finally in Manila. Trump, while he has been good for the economy was fucking me over. You see, I have a sourcing company that works for everyone from Fortune 500 firms to mom and pops. For the last decade, most of the goods I would source have been coming from China. I've built up a pretty good business, with over 60 people working for me full time in the States and in Asia.
But with the Tariffs, my business has been suffering. I've spent the last three years moving production to other countries, and yes, even back to the good old USA. It's been a big pain in the ass, but I have made it worth my time. I've renegotiated my contracts saying any savings from Tariffs would be split 50/50 for the first three years, that could mean literally mid seven figures for the company.
Sourcing is a tricky business, and one I take seriously. Most of the factories I find myself, I don't rely on outside companies or even my employees. Asians tend to bribe or blackmail their way into getting the business.
I was moving production of a huge contract with a maker of green tractors to the Philippines. They weren't difficult items; it was the size of the contract that had me worried. I was going to spend 3 weeks on and 2 weeks off in Manila until I was comfortable. I also needed to set up a local office and meet the local government and customs officials. Make sure the correct palms were properly greased.
I arrived in Manila early on a Friday afternoon and I was headed to a local 5-star hotel in the middle of Makati. It was situated in the ultra-rich section of town with a huge mall across the street. Tall glass towers dot the landscape of Makati. Standing there with a sign with my name on it was a 60 year old grizzled Manila veteran, Jose. I had met him a few times on my previous trips meeting with the factory and they assigned him to be my driver.
I hopped into the back of the black Audi and was relieved that he had kept the AC on, as it was hot and humid. I guess being this close to the equator, even in November it was going to be miserably hot.
Although the hotel is only 10 miles away from the airport, it usually takes an hour or more to get there. A Friday afternoon rush hour in Manila is only rivaled by one in Jakarta. Add in the daily afternoon rain, and it could be impossible to get anywhere. Another of my worries, how in the hell can you logistically move goods around such a fucked up place?
I arrived at my hotel and was greeted by name by the bell boy, him remembering me from a previous trip and a $10 tip. He escorted me through the metal detectors and to the front desk where Jasmine checked me in. Oh Jasmine, the little Filipina desk clerk that is 8 months pregnant. How she has filled out in the 60 days since I've been here. Her big belly, and her tits have gotten massive. All squeezed into her little gray outfit. She smiled brightly and said "Welcome back Mr. Jones, so glad to see you!"
We had flirted innocently enough on my last trip when I had lost my room key while I was at the hotel bar. I was half drunk (well...maybe a little more) and couldn't seem to find my key. She offered to escort me to the room to make sure I arrived safely. She was six months pregnant at the time and you could barely tell on her 5'2" frame. I thought it odd that she didn't have Jose or the Concierge Peter escort me, but I enjoyed flirting with her on the elevator. On the way up to the 24th floor, I had asked her how far along she was, and she told me "Six months Mr. Jones, and I feel so fat and ugly" as she rubbed her stomach and her eyes looked at the carpet.
I took my hand and pulled her chin up to look at me and told her she was very sexy, that her husband was very lucky to have a wife so sexy.
She blushed and whispered "I wish my husband thought the same thing"
As we exited the elevator and headed to my room I was walking behind her looking at her lush Latina like ass in that tight gray mini skirt. I wanted to reach out and touch it.
When she made sure I was safe in my room I reached in my pocket to give her a tip, when she placed her hand on my pocket and said "No sir, no tip. Just glad you are safe". Her hand that close to my dick caused it to begin to stir as we looked at each other in the eyes. This little 26 year old minx sure knew how to turn up the heat.
I leaned down and whispered into her ear that "You know Jasmine, you should leave before we both get in trouble." Her smell was exquisite, my dick getting harder as I kissed her cheek and backed away. She blushed and told me "Mr. Jones, you are so sweet and nice"
As she left the room, I was mad at myself for passing up an opportunity, but I knew that if she got caught even flirting with a customer, she would get fired and blackballed from the industry. The lure of finding a rich American to some of these gals is just too great (even if married and pregnant), and the $40,000 Rolex on my wrist was a hell of a calling card.
Back to the present day and Jasmine was asking how my trip was and how many days I would be staying. I told her two or three nights depending on if I could find an apartment to rent. She smiled but then acted sad, saying "Mr. Jones, you won't be staying with us any longer?" I informed her that my trips would now be for a longer periods of time and that I needed an apartment to make it more efficient. She frowned and said that "we" would miss me and gave me a sexy wink.
All checked in and Jasmine gave me my normal room on the 24th floor, overlooking the shopping mall. Jose had already taken my bags up and as I rode the elevator alone, I began thinking if Manila would really be the solution to my problems or the biggest headache since I started my company?
While the locals were friendly, always "Yes sir Mr. Jones", "Of course Mr. Jones", their habit of not telling the truth was something they wouldn't break even for a multi-million-dollar contract. They would lie about the simplest of things. And the workers? Oh boy, if you could get a worker to show up 4 days a week you were lucky. Six days a week? Impossible.
Arriving at my room I decided a shower and a nap were in order. I set my alarm for 7:00 pm and decided that this trip and I was on my own, I would go check out the world's famous Café Havana for dinner and drinks. It was time to investigate the "other" side of Manila.
Chapter 2
I didn't wake up until almost 8:00pm. I was tired and as I laid in bed I debated just rolling over and going back to sleep. I knew from plenty of experience, that if I did that, I would be up at 3:00am hungry and nothing open. I forced myself to get another quick shower and get dressed casually, in a short sleeve button down shirt and some shorts. I even threw on a ball cap and headed down to stairs. Jasmine had a customer, so I hung out in the huge lobby watching all the people coming and going on a Friday night.
I went up to Jasmine once she was free and handed her my Rolex in a cashmere pouch and asked her if she could put it in the hotel safe. She looked at me with her doe eyes and said "of course Mr. Jones, follow me so you can witness it going in" She dialed the manager and said something in the local language and we walked back together to the hotel safe. The manager asked me to open the pouch so he could inspect the item and he took pictures on his phone and made some notes on a sign in sheet. After the three of us signed the documents, I followed Jasmine back to the front. Along the way down the corridor, she waited for me to catch up and put her arm into mine and looked at me saying "I hope you continue to come to the hotel Mr. Jones. It would be very sad if I didn't get to see you anymore"
I told her that I would be back, if nothing else to come drink in the hotel bar. She smiled and said "I hope so"
Back in the lobby they seemed to be having some sort of beauty contest going on upstairs, as there were maybe 70 young Filipina girls all dressed in red dresses. They were posing for pictures on the stairs leading up to the ball room and the second floor. If only I was 20 years younger...
Guess it's time to describe myself. I'm 49 years old, been married for 20 years to the love of my life. Just under 6' tall and 185 pounds, a little bit of a gut, but barely noticeable in the right clothing. I take care of myself as much as I can, I do smoke and drink, but only to excess in Asia. Back in the states I only smoke occasionally, and rarely do I drink. My wife is a smoking hot blonde with big fake tits and a huge sex drive. We dabbled in swinging for a period of time, but the time and energy needed for "the lifestyle" didn't mesh with our day to day lives. She is an executive for a Fortune 100 company and travels extensively. When we are together, we make up for all the lost time. Do I think she has some side dick on me on her trips? I can almost guarantee it. However, we make sure we don't rub what goes on when we are out of town in each other's faces. Better left unsaid.
I walk across the street to the big fancy mall and each time I visit I am astounded at the high-end retail that is here. Brand names you only see in Beverly Hills or in Manhattan. Right in the middle of one of poorest countries in the world and literally just blocks from the barrios.
I have seen Cafe Havana on my previous trips, but never stopped in. I always had an employee or four with me on those trips, and when I'm with them I'm about as strait laced as can be. Can't set a bad example now can we.
I took a seat on the patio outside and looked around. Lots of couples sitting together, just like in any other part of the world. The only difference is most of the males are over 50 and most of the females under 30. This place is a pickup bar/restaurant; as long as you are willing to pay for the "pickup".