36. High on Love
Chapter thirty-six
High on Love
Lei
The aromas of charred meat and smoky spices filled the air.
I ended up getting a second plate of Banks’s ribs and Chef Foo’s crispy pork.
Fuck. They’re both really good at cooking.
The food was so exceptional that it sparked intense debates among the guests. Everyone became a food critic, pointing out the subtle smokiness of the Bourbon chicken or the perfect char on Chef Foo’s vegetables.
Arguments broke out over which dish deserved the crown, with people passionately defending their favorites. I almost worried that physical fights would happen among some of Rowe Street Mob debating with Four Aces.
Thankfully, no one took it there.
One of my men yelled to another, "Did you try those ribs?! They're a masterpiece, surely Banks should win!"
“Hey, it’s the East.” Another of my men shook his head. “Chef Foo has to win. We can’t give a trophy to anyone from the South.”
“But it has to be fair.”
“Not when we bleed blue.”
Another countered, waving a forkful of Chef Foo’s crispy pork, "No, no, the pork is clearly superior. It’s not even about the East or the South. Stick to the food!"
I checked out the other areas.
Everyone had returned to their games. Aunt Min appeared to be getting some challenge from Einstein, but she was clearly still winning.
After several minutes, I checked our table and confirmed that all the other judges had committed to their favorite contestant and put the name onto their slips of paper.
Granted, Fen had to write Chen’s pick because apparently, he’d begun writing a poem on his slip.
Chen swayed off beat to Earth, Wind, & Fire’s “September” and turned to Fen. “Are you sure the poem was unnecessary?”
Smiling, Fen nodded. “I don’t think everyone is ready for that.”
“I rather think the poem would have added some more culture to the event.”
Fen patted his arm. “I think you should save that poem for next time.”
Chen didn’t say anything else. Instead, he gazed at Fen’s hand on him and this silly smile spread across his face. “Your hand is. . .very soft.”
“Thank you, Chen.”
I gazed further down the table.
Dima had been entrusted with the important task of gathering and tallying our votes. Currently, he collected the last of the slips from Chloe and Aunt Suzi and then he shuffled the papers in his hands like a seasoned card dealer.
Loud laughter came from near the stage.
I looked that way.
Chef Foo and Banks were now both on their second beer and had still been talking. They stood by the stage conversating about something that had both of their eyes wide with enjoyment.
Hmmm.
I considered Banks’s apology on the stage earlier.
I still wanted to beat his ass for all the commotion earlier, but I also knew that Banks had done it to be there for Moni.
Just then, Chef Foo and Banks clinked their beer bottles together in salute and snickered about something.
I’ll accept your apology, Banks. Just move with respect from now on.
I checked his mother’s table and spotted Marcelo staring at Moni for a few seconds and then gazing back down to his cards.
But what will I do with you?
Moni didn’t want me to kill Marcelo. And I found it difficult to lie to her. All of that put me in a tough spot to make a violent move against him and the South. If I did manage to get rid of Marcelo, she would come to me and ask if I had anything to do with it and. . .I had no idea if I could keep the dishonesty off my face.
Pressure built in my chest.
And I can’t lose her. No matter how much I want to kill that son of a bitch.
So I promised myself to keep my impulses under control.
For now. . .
Ruminations of violence pushed aside, I refocused on the festivities and put my attention back on Dima.
He opened the first slip of paper and checked the name written on it.
An intriguing smirk appeared on his face.
Then, he jotted that tally down in his notebook.
Whose name was it?
Dima unfolded the second slip of paper with a knowing smile and nodded.
Just then, a streak of a white paw darted out trying to bat at Dima’s pen.
Dima smiled at Barbara Whiskers who had her gaze targeting on his pen.
Rose laughed.
Showing patience that I didn’t even know he had, Dima gently nudged Barbara's paw away with his free hand and returned to writing down the tally.
But Barbara was persistent.
With the next swipe of his pen, she pounced again, this time her paw collided with his hand just enough to make a mark stray across the paper.
Dima scowled at her. “Do you want to vote?”
Her tail flicked energetically as she prepared for another round between her and the pen.
Dima gave it a third attempt.
Barbara pounced again, her paw clumsily batting at Dima's pen.
He chuckled, setting the pen down beside the tally sheet and teasing her with a gentle flick of his fingers along her whiskers. "Are you auditing my count, or just after my pen?"
The cat meowed and her tail twitched with excitement.
Soon, she shifted her attention between Dima's fingers and the fallen pen.
Dima continued to play along and glanced at Rose. "I give up.”
Grinning, Rose took the pen and notebook from Dima. “I’ll do it, while you give her some attention.”
Right as I was about to check to see what Moni and Jo were giggling about, Chen spoke much too loudly. "You know, Fen, in the vibrant, all-consuming tapestry of this lovely evening woven only by God and who knows who else, your presence, your lovely presence is like a breathtaking thread glowing. Golden. Unmistakable. Bright. It is my. . .favorite thread in this. . .tapestry."
What the fuck did he just say?
I eyed them.
“Well. . .” Fen blushed. “Thank. . .you. . .”
Chen blinked in horror. “Did that make sense?”
Fen nodded. "Yes. That was. . .awesome.”
“Are you sure?”
"You really see things in a unique way."
Chen smiled. "So, poetry does have its place tonight?"
Fen nodded. "It does, especially when it’s as heartfelt as yours."
“Good.” Chen gazed at her hand on his arm again.
She blushed and moved it away. “Sorry.”
"I liked your hand there. You didn’t have to move it. Unless you wanted to move it. But I would like your hand anywhere. . .no. . .I can’t say that, but. . .well. . .” Chen swallowed. "Would you—perhaps—allow me the honor of taking you out on a date? No pressure, but I would like to spend time with you where I can spoil you. . .under the stars of course. . .fine dining. . .you wearing something gorgeous and I tell you that you’re captivating. . ."
O-kay. Should I stop him or let him keep talking?
I checked Fen’s face.
Her eyebrows had been raised in surprise and her smile faltered just a bit.
I thought she liked him. Maybe, she doesn’t. Or is she just shocked?
Fen parted her lips and then let out a long breath. "Chen, you’re sweet. . .”
I could already see the disappointment creeping onto Chen’s face.
Oh fuck. She’s going to say no.
Tension gathered on my shoulders.
This sucked the most because Chen barely showed interest in anyone. He took his job too damn seriously and never really glanced at women.
Therefore, his reaction to Fen had made me so happy.
Too bad it didn’t seem like she felt the same way.
Chen frowned. “So. . .you’re about to say no?”
Fen let out a long breath. “Well. . .”
I can’t watch this, but I can’t look away either.
Fen shrugged. “I actually would like to go on a date with you.”
I let out an exasperated breath that caught both of their attention.
They snapped their views to me.
I cleared my throat and turned away as if I hadn’t been being super nosy.
The song "September" had ended and "Boogie Wonderland" was now in command of the dance floor.
The crowd cheered as the beat dropped.
But I didn’t care about that anymore. I had to know what would happen with Chen and Fen, so I strained to listen to their conversation.
“Oh,” Chen said. “So. . .you like me too?”
“I do.”
Slowly, I turned my head back to invade their private conversation some more. I couldn't help but chuckle at the exchange, even though I tried to look uninterested.
Fen smiled. “I’m still getting to know you, Chen, but I do like what I’ve learned so far.”
“I’m a good person.”
“I think so.”
Chen pointed to her. “You’re also. . .a very good person. Very beautiful and good. Both equally, yet I had to tell you how beautiful you are.”
“I like hearing you tell me that I’m beautiful.”
“Oh good.” Chen wiped his forehead. “So. . .the date—”
“Well.” Fen sighed. “I don’t want to give you a set answer now . I think that you should ask me again tomorrow.”
Chen's expression shifted from hopeful to confused. A faint shadow of hurt flickered in his eyes. "Why tomorrow ? Did I say something wrong tonight ?"
I quirked my brows.
Fen ran her fingers through her hair. "No, not at all. It’s just. . ."
You’re high as a fucking kite and don’t know it, so. . .she doesn’t trust you asking now.
Fen trailed off, looking around as if searching for the right words. "How about I'll explain tomorrow. Okay? Just trust me on this."
Chen looked visibly disheartened, his smile dimming as he nodded slowly, clearly trying to mask his disappointment.
Fuck.
I wasn’t supposed to be a part of the conversation, but I desperately wondered if I should jump in. I was certain that Chen was genuinely interested in Fen. His feelings were evident to anyone who knew him well.
Yet, Fen hadn’t known him for that long. She had no idea that although Chen was super high, he damn sure wanted to date her.
I wonder if I should intervene.
But the moment felt too delicate, too private to intrude upon.
Thankfully, DJ Hendrix interrupted the tense situation. “Alright, judges. Are you all ready?”
I checked Dima and Rose.
Rose gave DJ Hendrix a small smile and nod that did nothing to betray the winner.
Alright. Finally, we’ll know who won. And then I can take Moni somewhere private to fuck.