7. A Tour to Remember
Chapter seven
A Tour to Remember
Monique
Do I love his son?
Leo’s question hit me like a physical blow, knocking the air from my lungs.
Time slowed to a crawl as I struggled to contain the chaotic whirlwind of emotions within me—love, fear, uncertainty—all fighting for dominance.
Add the fact that I was certain that. . .if I said no . . .Leo might kill me.
But of course the answer would never be no . In this short time, Lei had seeped into my heart. There was no doubt in my mind with how intense my feelings for Lei were becoming.
I more than wanted to be with him, so much that I yearned for our happy ending.
There was just. . .so many other things possibly in the way. His past with Chanel, my responsibility to my sisters, his power in the East, and my fear of this huge Mountain Mistress position thrust in front of me. And then there was Banks and Marcelo.
All these things hung in the air between Lei and I like a poisonous fog.
As much as my heart ached to just become Mountain Mistress and dedicate my life to him, I knew I had to tread carefully.
One step in the wrong direction and we could both fall into an unhappy life full of despair.
But all of that was beside the point as this psychotic killer stood in front of me, attempting to do some insane matchmaking.
Just fucking say it.
“Well. . .” The word slipped out like a secret I had kept even from myself. “I think I. . .love Lei. . .I don’t want anyone else. When I’m away from him, I’m sad. . .upset even. . .and. . .I’m worried about your battle with him. I’m terrified that I would lose Lei when you fight, after just falling for him.”
Silent, Leo studied me.
My admission lingered in the space between us, a delicate truth that carried both fear and freedom.
Meanwhile, Leo’s expression was unreadable.
Yet, his eyes remained stone-cold, staring at me as if he were dissecting the sincerity of each word. His lips pressed into a thin line, and his nostrils flared slightly with every silent inhale.
O-kay. . .
The ticking of a grandfather clock in the living room served as the only sound.
Finally, he released a deep sigh, as if this great amount of tension were finally leaving his shoulders. But his gaze remained unblinking—steady and unnerving.
Then, he spoke, “Your feelings for Lei are genuine. I can taste it in the air.”
Again, silence fell between us like an impenetrable wall. I could feel my heart thudding violently in my chest as I awaited his next words.
Suddenly, his stare turned cold. “But, I have another question.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Alright.”
“Do you love Duck?”
My face twisted in surprise. “Duck?”
“Yes.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I don’t love Duck.”
“There was the situation of the meatball—”
“Oh my God. I really need everyone to calm down about that—”
“He gave you our ancient texts knowing that Lei or I could harm him for it.”
I gulped and leveled my gaze at him. As overwhelming as my fear was, there was one thing stronger—my feelings for Lei. “I only see Duck as a friend, nothing more. I'm falling for Lei. Period.”
“Hmmm.” Leo’s lips curled upward into a huge smile. “Good.”
Then, to my utter shock, he put up his blade.
When the fuck did he take that out?!
I stepped back.
He. . .really was going to kill me if I gave him the wrong answers.
And as if it were a regular afternoon visit, he turned and headed up the stairs. “Let us continue the tour. Your ladies-in-waiting must stay on this level.”
Naw, man. I’m good. I’m not going anywhere with your crazy ass.
I stayed right where I was, deciding that I no longer needed answers that bad.
Like. . .he just had the blade out to just straight murder me. . .
Leo continued up the stairs. “Come on, Monique.”
“I don’t know about that. . .”
“There is much to tell you.”
“Listen. . .I’m afraid of you.”
“Afraid of me?” Leo stopped in the center of the staircase and turned. “Why?”
“You were about to kill me just now.”
“Only if I didn’t like your answers.”
“What if you don’t like my answers upstairs?”
“I don’t have any questions for you upstairs.” He touched his chest. “I’m the one that will be giving you answers.”
I eyed him. “Look. Maybe you can just. . .send me an email breaking everything down. I like that idea better.”
He chuckled, but there was no amusement in his eyes. “An email wouldn’t do it justice. You have to see for yourself.”
“See what?”
He continued up the stairs.
I glanced behind me.
Song remained at the door with now five of those scary monks dressed in blue robes flanking him.
Next, I put my view on my ladies-in-waiting. “What do you all think?”
My lady in front gave me a sad smile. “They won’t let us out of here, unless you go upstairs.”
“Yeah.” I turned back to the stairs. “I was thinking that too.”
Another spoke, “I don’t think the Grand Mountain Master will kill you. In fact, I am sure of your safety.”
Alright then.
I let out a long breath.
Let’s get answers from the Boogeyman.
I began to climb the stairs.
The ascent felt like a journey in itself. My hand grazed against the dragon’s intricately carved scales, smooth and cool to the touch. It was as if I were stroking the back of my very own pet dragon, brought to life in stunning detail.
The East is crazy.
Once I reached the top, Leo guided us down a long hallway with blue carpet and walls adorned with more art.
He gestured to one of the paintings. “I will be taking all of my pieces and putting them in the vault too. However, show my grandkids that I not only fought and ruled, but I painted.”
“Oh. You did these paintings also?”
“I did.”
“Did you ever consider being an artist?”
“As a poor immigrant in America with a baby on the way?” He shook his head. “Never. I had duties. Like you, I understood responsibility.”
“Like me?”
“While your mother battled cancer, you instantly stepped into place as your sisters’ mother and father.”
“I wouldn’t say all of that. I did the older sister thing—”
“You cooked, cleaned, took them to school, helped with homework, and still worked at the chicken factory.”
I widened my eyes. “How long have you known who I was?”
“That question is not important.”
“I think it is.”
“Fine. Then, I will tell you the first time I ever saw you.”
I stiffened. “Alright.”
“You must have been seven years old in front of your grandmother’s house.”
“What?”
“And you were pouting. There were older girls on the sidewalk with two jumping ropes moving them at the same time. . .I don’t know what you call that game.”
“Double Dutch?”
“Perhaps, that is what it is.” He shrugged. “Banks was little also and laughing at you which caused your grandmother to tell him to stop, before she approached me.”
I stopped walking. “Why did my grandmother go to you?”
He paused and looked at me. “I handled her monthly allowance for the Killer Crows’ leader. It was a. . .secret favor I did for the Jones Family.”
“So. . .we are really related to Chanel and them?”
“You are.” He nodded.
“And that’s why you decided to have me be with Lei?”
“What? No. You think I knew that you were going to be the Mountain Mistress when you were seven?” Leo chuckled and started walking. “Monique, I do not know what they told you, but I am not that much of a mastermind.”
“O-kay. So then when did you see me and decide that I would be Mountain Mistress?”
“You should not ask that question either.”
“Why not?”
“Because you have everything all wrong.” Leo paused at the entrance to a small library. “What do you think?”
I checked it out. “Awesome.”
Oh shit. T.T. will live in here.
The shelves brimmed with books and comfortable chairs, allowing any happy book worm to get lost in books for days.
Leo headed off. “I’ll be sure to empty many of these shelves to allow you to create your own collection.”
“Thanks, but don’t empty it too much. My youngest sister is a bit of a historian, especially when it is about the West.”
“Why the West?”
“She’s interested in the Crownsville Bandit and his treasure.”
Leo grinned. “You mean her treasure.”
“Her?”
Leo slowed down his pace. “You clearly have never brought that up to Lei. I say that because Lei was the one to tell me that fun fact.”
“Hold up.” I hurried back to his side. “The Crownsville Bandit was a woman?”
“According to my son. He claims to have talked to the ghost many times while standing on the Killer Crows’ property at night.”
You mean. . .stalking Chanel.
My mind spun with all this new information.
“Anyway. The second level of this house is designed for tranquility and reflection,” Leo spoke as if he wasn’t dropping bombs left and right. “Notice the theme of blue—it represents both the depth of the sky and the vastness of the ocean, symbolizing wisdom and serenity.”
We moved toward the bedrooms.
He continued, “There are four rooms on this level.”
Every time we got to one, I ducked my head in.
This place gets better and better.
Each bedroom was more lavish than the last—everything from the silk bedspreads to the delicate paintings on the wall reflected a deep respect for tradition and artistry. Plus, all of them had big bathrooms as well as offered great glimpses of the garden.
Leo’s voice brought me back to the present. “Understanding our customs is crucial, Monique.”
“I get that.”
“For instance, when visiting someone’s home—which you will do a lot as Mountain Mistress—bringing a gift is a sign of respect and a desire to foster good relations.”
“Okay. So always have a gift.”
“But choosing the right gift for each particular person. . .well that can be tricky.” He led me to a new staircase that probably would take us to the third level. “For example, never gift someone a clock.”
“Why not?”
“It’s associated with funerals. And scissors or a pear could imply you wish to cut ties or separate from their family.”
I grimaced slightly at the thought. “Sounds like gift-giving is navigating a minefield.”
Leo chuckled. “It can be, but there are safe choices.”
“What are those?”
“Desserts, seasonal fruits, wine.”
“That makes things easier.”
Leo continued, “And remember, presentation matters. Red, pink, or gold wrappers symbolize luck and prosperity. Never use black, blue, or white—they’re mourning colors.”
“So even though the East is about blue, they don’t want it for gifts?”
“Exactly.”
“Very good to know.”
“Also,” He pointed at me. “Make sure you go to Suzi first before getting a gift. She is the best one for advice on gifting. No one in the East is better.”
“Noted. I’ll talk to Aunt Suzi about gift giving.”
“Now. . .when it comes to war, battle, or dealing with my son and his men, then Min is the best for council.”
“I’ll remember that.” I nodded, hanging on his every word. This was all so different from what I was used to.
He smiled at me and then guided us up this smaller staircase.
We reached the third level, which struck me as more of a personal sanctuary than part of a house. It was designed like a luxurious one-bedroom apartment, complete with a large office adorned with mountain paintings.
“While we’re on the subject of customs,” Leo guided me through the office, “dining etiquette is paramount. Always wait for the senior family member to begin eating. It’s a sign of great respect.”
I imagined sitting down to a meal, the air thick with anticipation as everyone waited for the eldest to take the first bite. It was a far cry from the casual dinners I was used to.
“But. . .” I quirked my brows. “What if Lei is in the room?”
“Then, all will wait for him to take the first bite.” He bobbed his head. “Good question. You’ve been paying attention.”
“But no one will wait for me to eat as the Mountain Mistress?”
“They will want to, but you will look to the eldest person in the room, if you are on your own. To do so, would show all at the table how serious you are at respecting our traditions. You will gain powerful allies very fast with this method.”
“Got it.”
We moved into a massive bedroom.
This space was opulence personified, the décor balancing the richness of royal blue and gold. The walls were adorned with rich tapestries and paintings, each one depicting scenes of grandeur and power.
A massive four-poster bed with plush velvet curtains was the centerpiece of the room, surrounded by silk-covered chairs and a large carved dresser.
But what truly grabbed me was the super huge floor-to-ceiling window that offered a panoramic view of the estate and the palace further off.
I walked over to it.
The sight took my breath away.
The estate spread out as far as the eye could see, a kaleidoscope of blossoming flowers in diverse colors and shapes, intricately patterned walkways, and carefully sculpted trees.
From this distance, they looked like small colorful gems adorning a velvet blanket of green, all shimmering under the soft glow of the setting sun.
Beyond the boundaries of the estate, I could see the majestic silhouette of the palace against the backdrop of a sunny blue sky.
Leo came to stand next to me, his hands clasped behind his back. “This is a fitting view for a Mountain Mistress, that may need a break every now and then.”
“Did your wife love this view?”
“So much that she tried to either be here or in the garden at least once a day.”
Without saying a word, I nodded in agreement.
The breathtaking sight before me was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. Exhilarating because it was now within my reach; nerve-wracking because with this newfound beauty came unknown responsibilities that I had to fulfill.
This is now. . .my life.
Leo’s next words pulled me from my thoughts. “And remember, the altar spaces in many homes are sacred. Always approach them with respect.”
I nodded again, absorbing his advice like a sponge.
It wasn’t just about learning to navigate a new cultural landscape; it was about embracing it, understanding the nuances that made the East and its people who they were.
This is a lot, but. . .I think I can do this.
Leo let out a long sigh. “And now for more answers to your questions.”
Stunned, I looked at him. “Okay.”
This odd sadness hit his eyes. “I brought a book with all the answers that you will ever need. But. . .you’ll have to look at it yourself. I. . .I can’t anymore.”
“What book?”
He turned around and pointed.
I moved my view in the direction of his finger.
A large blue book lay on the bed.
What could be in it?
I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it when I walked in. Probably cause the room was so insanely huge and opulent.
I walked over to the book. “This has the answers I want?”
Leo remained by the window as if terrified to get too close. “It does. I believe many answers will be in there.”
But how could that be true?
My nerves flared as I slowly approached and realized that it wasn’t a book, but a large photo album. The album looked like any other, bound in worn blue leather with gold gilded edges.
But if Leo’s reaction was anything to go by, this was no ordinary collection of photos.
What could be inside of there?
Letting out a long breath, I sat down next to it.
Alright. Finally, I will know what the hell has been going on.
Slowly, I opened the heavy cover with trembling fingers.
Let’s see.
I realized that the first page held a single, large haunting photograph that reached into my very body and gripped my soul tightly.
Oh no!!
A cry escaped my lips as tears welled up in my eyes.
“W-what?” I jumped up from the bed. “N-no. No. I don’t understand. I don’t.”