6. The Ways of the East
Chapter six
The Ways of the East
Monique
My heart pounded as my ladies-in-waiting and I approached the porch and climbed the stairs.
Please, God. Don’t let this get too crazy.
The sheer magnificence of the estate, Leo’s imposing aura, and the unknown possibilities waiting ahead mingled together to create a potent cocktail of terror.
Once on the porch, I took a moment to appreciate the darkened blue wood and ornate carvings of dragons bordering the door. It was impossible not to relish in its beauty despite the uneasy feeling rising within me.
I swallowed and kept an appearance of calm serenity. My ladies-in-waiting followed suit. Painted smiles masked their faces. Every step closer to the entrance felt heavier than the last, yet onward we treaded.
Leo watched me as the space between us began to close. Then, Leo’s gaze shifted past me to the women following in my wake. And there was a calculating look in his eyes.
Uncle Song got in front of the doorway as if to make sure I didn’t enter just yet.
I stopped.
My ladies-in-waiting halted under Leo’s unwavering gaze. He sized them up. “Can you all fight?”
“What?” I turned to them.
To my shock, the ladies nodded in unison, and one spoke, “Yes, Grand Mountain Master. We can fight.”
I was taken aback. The possibility of them being capable fighters had never crossed my mind.
Oh. Alright then.
I glanced back at Leo.
He tilted his head to the side. “Hmmm.”
I tensed.
What?
Without another word, Leo rushed for them with this long fucking blade.
“Ah!” I shrieked and jumped out of the way.
Where the hell did that knife come from?
Leo did a swift, low sweep aiming at my closest lady-in-waiting.
No!
Fast, she ducked and stepped to the side.
He sliced toward her with lightning speed.
I screamed.
She leapt into the air with a grace that defied gravity.
Oh shit!
Completely stunned, I raised my hands in the air.
He tried to grab her feet.
Somehow she remained in the damn air, countering his jabs at her with a barrage of aerial kicks, her feet slicing and whizzing through the air inches from Leo’s face as she spun in a tight arc above him.
My breath caught in my throat.
Oh my God!!!!!!
Forget the magical part of it, the precision and control in her movement was astounding.
When she finally landed, my second lady-in-waiting joined the fight.
Leo saw her from his side view and this motherfucker did a fast back flip.
I almost stumbled onto my ass, so out of my fucking limit.
Still, my second lady didn’t just launch herself at Leo, she propelled forward in this powerful leap that carried her fast across the porch in a heartbeat.
I couldn’t even blink as their exchange zipped into a whirlwind of strikes and kicks.
Smiling the whole time, Leo met each of her attacks with an effortless defense.
Soon, my third lady jumped in. With a high-spirited yell, she charged toward him, moving faster than I believed possible with a pair of daggers in her hands.
Alright. Is this a fucking action movie or what?
Leo glanced up in time, jumping back just as she dove for him spinning in mid-air like a deadly cyclone.
I watched with horrified fascination as Leo blocked her daggers with his blade in a metallic clink, pushing her back with sheer force.
They all separated, probably to catch their breath.
The first two ladies circled back around him while the third recovered from her dive attack.
Yet even outnumbered, Leo appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself.
My first lady slipped behind him and tried to attack.
Keeping his gaze on the second lady in front, Leo spun around, then ducked low, and avoided the first’s high kick and used the momentum to swipe at the second lady’s feet, throwing her off balance.
I stared in shock as she rolled away just in time to avoid losing her legs.
Then, he somehow blocked an attack from my third lady with his forearm before swinging his blade towards her in a wide arc.
She twisted out of the way, but it was too close for comfort.
I widened my eyes.
Meanwhile, the third came lunging at him again with her twin daggers.
Aunt Min roared. “Enough!”
My ladies stopped, jumped back, and recovered, quickly putting up daggers and wiping their faces.
Leo laughed hard clutching his stomach. “You three have got spirit. I like it.”
Aunt Suzi didn’t share his same joy. Somewhere in between the fighting she had gotten to the top of the stairs.
“Brother.” She placed her hands on the hips. “The press will be here soon to set up. Get the tour on the way.”
Aunt Min joined her sister on the step and narrowed her gaze at him. “Now, brother.”
Leo instantly stopped with the laughter and sheathed his blade with a resigned sigh. “Very well, sisters.”
Well. . .seems like the aunts are at least two people Leo will actually listen to.
Leo then turned back to face my ladies-in-waiting and me. Then to my utter shock, he bowed courteously at them. “Please forgive me for the sudden test of skills.”
The Aunts still frowned.
He shrugged at my ladies. “I must admit I quite enjoyed the sparring.”
With that, he gestured towards the large wooden doors.
Uncle Song finally moved out of the way.
Leo came close to me.
I tensed as he walked on my side.
Jesus Christ.
He kept my pace. “Everyone seems to be in fine form. Lucky for them, they pass my test.”
I gritted my teeth. “But was fighting them necessary?”
Leo’s gaze softened slightly. “In the East, everyone who stands by the Mountain Mistress must be capable of protecting not just her but also the legacy she carries. I must say that they have proven themselves worthy.”
I looked at my ladies-in-waiting, seeing them in a new light.
“Let’s begin our tour then, before the press descends on us.” Leo guided us through.
And then, all was immediately forgotten.
Damn.
The entrance was grand.
Golden crystal chandeliers hung from a high ceiling painted with an exquisite mural of intertwined blue dragons.
I lifted my face just. . .staring at the space.
This was the thing.
I didn’t know why I had expected a normal family home inside. In my mind, I had imagined neutral carpet, white walls, comfortable furniture, a simple tv, maybe a little watercolor painting here and there.
Clearly, I had not been paying attention since being in the East.
Oh my God.
Lotus Blossom had been designed like a mini palace inside—expensive oriental rugs covered parts the sky blue marble floors. Priceless paintings adorned the walls with frames that had the nerve to be encrusted with gems.
Jo is going to. . .pass out right in the foyer. . .while Chloe is going to stroll around like a princess.
I spotted a lavish living room further away from the grand entrance, showcasing another chandelier, plush velvet couch, marble coffee table, and grand piano by a massive floor to ceiling window.
I turned to the left.
Ummm. . .what’s going on over there?
A staircase stood with dark blue pillars and a staircase lined with gold detailing. But even more. . .the goddamn hand railing was a whole motherfucking dragon just carved and painted there. . .and it was fucking frighteningly real.
Like. . .the dragon looked close to waking up and swallowing us all.
So uh. . .that will take some time to get used to.
Staff moved quietly around, dusting, polishing, and cleaning.
Three men were in the open space by the staircase removing this huge painting.
Swallowing down shock, I walked in that direction, trying to get a better look at the painting.
My ladies-in-waiting followed us, yet maintained three feet of space.
In the image, Leo stood next to his wife, Jing.
Lei’s mother really was beautiful.
Meanwhile, Lei and his sister were right in front of them, super young with grinning faces.
Aww.
Leo noticed my gaze and maintained his stride with mine. “All of my personal items will go in the palace’s vaults. I would like these items to be preserved for my grandkids. Remember, Moni, they must know about Jing and me.”
I blinked. “Okay. . .so. . .we really have to address the elephant in the room.”
“What elephant? There’s only a dragon in here.” He chuckled leading me by a massive kitchen where more staff members wiped counters and other surfaces.
I frowned. “Why did you pick me, Leo? And even more how did you pick me?”
“There are things that occur in the East that you must remember, practice, and imbed within your very DNA to be the perfect Mountain Mistress for my son.”
“Leo. . .respectfully. . .that’s not an answer.”
We went around a corner that led us back to the huge living room.
There, he stopped us.
“For formal gatherings, many bow like this in the East.” Keeping eye contact, Leo did a half bow. “Try it. Please.”
I repeated what he did.
“Good, but remember. . .the bow is from the shoulders and should be greater if the person you are greeting has a higher status than you, which will not be many besides my sisters, brother, and older cousins.”
“Alright.”
“However, this is most of the older generation’s way. Many that are your age and younger will give respectful nods, dramatically bowing their heads but not their bodies.”
Man. . .I don’t care about this shit.
“For casual greetings, handshakes are standard.” He extended his hand to mine.
Frowning, I shook his.
“No, Monique. Your grip is too strong.” He chuckled. “You have been around my son for too long. You must be lighter.”
I followed his direction.
“Excellent.” His smile deepened and he headed forward in the direction of the foyer again. “Now. . .when walking into a space, always greet those that are older than you first. It is a sign of respect in the East.”
“Okay.”
“Age and rank matter here. Never forget.”
“I won’t.”
He led us toward the stairs. “I was told that Duck snuck you some of our ancient text.”
I did my best to keep a neutral expression on my face. “I do not know that to be a fact.”
“I have eyes everywhere.” Leo winked. “Those eyes told me that you stayed up one night reading and studying the Four Aces’ books.”
I swallowed.
“It has also come to my attention that you petitioned to be a Friend of the Four Aces.”
“I did.”
“That is cute, Monique.” All humor on his face left. “But, you are to be the new Mountain Mistress. Nothing else.”
“Well. . .” I sighed. “I believed that this current position will help me get used to the Four Aces. It’s always helpful for a manager to go down to ground level and know how things work at the bottom.”
Leo didn’t appear impressed at all with my statement. “If you are a Friend of the Four Aces, my son will not behave with your negotiating meetings between the South and East, even with your familial connections he will still be violent.”
I blinked again.
“Besides, you will be able to get more deals done in the South as his Mountain Mistress.”
“Lei is still in love with Chanel.”
“Love?” He scowled.
I inched back.
“Monique, what Lei had for Chanel was not love. It was an immature obsession. What he is growing with you is more real, stronger, and is as powerful as my wife’s lush and radiant gardens surrounding this property.”
I pursed my lips.
“Your love will grow many things. The East will bloom, and my bloodline, my legacy will thrive and live forever.” He leaned his head to the side. “Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Stop running away from the title and accept it.”
Sighing, I inched back again. “Leo. . .”
He raised his eyebrows. “Yes, Monique?”
“How did you learn about me? And when? Why?”
“Your generation values speed over accuracy.” He snapped his fingers three times. “Quick answers. Instant gratification culture perpetuated by social media.”
“Are you not going to answer me?”
“I will, but there is great opportunity in allowing one to take their sweet time to answer.”
“Is there?”
“You would get more depth in understanding to this very complicated situation.” He stopped us at the end of the stairs. “For example, you could simply ask me, ‘Why did I kill your father?’”
“I would like to know that too.”
“And the quick answer would be, ‘He was not a man worthy enough to walk this earth.’”
I gritted my teeth.
“But that’s not the full picture.”
Sadness washed over me. “I want the full picture of everything because I don’t even understand how you know me. Did we happen to bump into each other or what?”
He gave me a sad smile. “First thing first.”
“Okay.”
He studied me. “Do you love my son?”