28. Under the Cherry Blossom
Chapter twenty-eight
Under the Cherry Blossom
Moni
Lei looked at me, and for a moment, I thought he was going to explode just from Marcy saying he loved me.
While it wasn’t a big deal to me, surely Lei would have something to say about it.
I watched him and the corners of his mouth twitched. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides.
Shit.
I readied myself for the unnecessary argument I knew we were about to have.
But then he did something completely unexpected, he took a deep breath and in a voice that was strained but controlled, he simply asked, "Are you ready for dinner?"
O-kay.
I swallowed. "Dinner?"
"Yes," he said, his tone tight yet composed. "The food is ready as well as the garden. I wanted to take you out there.”
I nodded, still processing his restraint. "Okay. . .that sounds good."
Should I bring this up or leave it alone? I mean. . .I’m fucking hungry.
I hadn’t eaten all damn day. At this point, I might have cooked Lei, put him between two slices of bread, and munched on him.
Fuck that. If he has something to say, let it be at the dinner table.
I went over and handed him the phone. “Thank you for letting me use this.”
Lei didn’t respond, but he did take the phone, pocket it in his robe then gently grabbed my hand.
It was a tender hold that he kept on my hand, so tender it felt like our hearts were connected.
Well. . .if he is mad. . .it’s not at me.
Together, we walked in silence, journeying down the stairs, through the second level, then to the next set of stairs with the dragon railing.
Although Lei’s hold on my hand was tender, I could feel the rage seething off him.
Still, once we went down a few steps, he laced his fingers between mine.
Soon we left the house and got out on the porch.
It was in that moment that I realized that neither one of us wore shoes. I wasn’t typically a barefoot person but I could already smell the yummy food riding the breeze.
Oh, hell yeah. Whatever that is. . .I’m eating it. Who cares about shoes?
We went down the steps and hit the ground.
Cool grass caressed my feet.
Okay. This isn’t too bad.
We walked on.
The lanterns in the trees emitted a warm, golden glow, casting dappled shadows on the lush greenery around us. They hung at different heights, some closer to the ground and others high up in the branches.
It was whimsical and romantic.
I smiled. “Are the lanterns always on at night like this?”
“When my mother was alive, yes. Since she’s been gone. . .it has only been dark at night.” He guided me down a path outlined in rose bushes. “You want the lanterns on?”
“I think so, as long as it doesn’t use up the East’s resources.”
He laughed.
I eyed him. “What?”
“You always care so much.”
“Well, I’m just saying. I always look at movies or shows about the rich and think about how they are over-consuming and doing so much. Basically, draining the world.” I shrugged. “Now that I have some money, I don’t want to do that.”
“Meanwhile, all I care about is that you are happy.”
I winked. “Lanterns on or not, I’ll be happy if you’re with me.”
“Good because. . .” Darkness flickered in his gaze. “You’ll never get rid of me.”
Alrighty then.
Lei’s intense words hung in the air.
We continued around a pond.
The path wound through lush greenery and vibrant flowers.
Up above, lit branches swayed gracefully with the breeze.
At night, the pond itself was a breathtaking sight. The lanterns' soft glow reflected off the still water, creating a shimmering, otherworldly effect.
Even more, tiny, delicate lights floated on the surface.
“And here we go.” Lei led us to the area where we would eat, a soft gasp left me.
“Aww. I love this.”
It was a scene straight out of a fairy tale, bathed in the dreamy glow of moonlight.
A table adorned with fine linens and lit candles sat beneath a majestic cherry blossom tree, its delicate petals falling like soft kisses upon our faces. The heavy lit branches formed a protective canopy, as if nature itself was conspiring to create an intimate and magical setting for us.
Meanwhile, the table was elegantly set with fine China, crystal glasses, and silver cutlery that gleamed in the soft light.
All the candles filled the air with their sweet scents, dancing among the garden’s earthy fragrance and the subtle aroma of the nearby pond.
I couldn’t have dreamed a better setting.
Lei stopped us and turned to me. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.”
“Good.” He moved closer to me and pressed his lips gently against my cheek in a tender kiss. His lips were soft and warm.
All these tingling sensations shivered through me.
So incredibly close, he gazed into my eyes and boldly inhaled my scent.
Swooning, I could see the slight creases around his eyes, and the way his eyelashes fluttered against his skin as he breathed me in.
He was so fucking handsome and all mine.
I would fight a bitch over him.
He stepped away. “I want your first night at Lotus Blossom to be special.”
“It already is.”
He led us closer to the dining space.
To the side, the chef and two staff members—dressed in blue—stood by another table covered with several covered silver platters, each kept warm by little flames flickering underneath.
When we got closer to our table, Lei let go of my hand and pulled out my chair.
“Thank you.” I sat down, feeling the luxurious comfort of the cushioned seat.
“You’re welcome.” He took his place right next to me and his eyes never left my face.
Is this my life now?
A soft smile played on his lips and I knew that regardless of what he heard on that phone call, it was going to be an awesome night.
The chef approached with two glasses of champagne and placed each one down in front of us. “Good evening, Mountain Master and Mountain Mistress.”
I widened my eyes, still not used to the title or such big fan fair over me. “Good evening.”
“I hope you two are very hungry this evening.”
I nodded. “I’m starving.”
“Wonderful. We will begin plating your foods.” The chef gave me a warm smile. "By the way, Mistress, do you have a particular love for any cuisine? It would help me plan for your future dinners here."
I shook my head. “I don’t really have one. I just want you to enjoy yourself as you cook. My mother always used to say that a happy cook in the kitchen is a delicious feast for everyone.”
The chef’s eyes lit up with excitement. “That is wonderful to hear. I’ll enjoy making many meals for you.”
“Awesome.”
“Will you be at Lotus Blossom tomorrow evening for dinner?”
“Yes, I will be.” I stiffened. “But my cousin has decided that we are having a cookout. He has this special recipe he does with ribs and is excited about doing it tomorrow, so there will be no need for you to make dinner.”
To my surprise, Lei grinned.
Good. He’s fine with it.
The chef looked intrigued and then a bigger smile spread across his face. “A cookout?”
“Yes.”
“May I respectfully request if I can grill too? There is a grill in the shed at the back of the property. I would love to take it out and do a little grill challenge with your cousin.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the idea. “A grill challenge? That sounds hilarious. I think Banks would love that.”
The chef considered it. “We will need judges.”
Appearing absolutely tickled by it all, Lei lifted one finger. “I will of course be the most important judge.”
The chef gave him a half-bow.
I chuckled. “And T.T. could help.”
Lei nodded. “Perhaps, all of your sisters could judge.”
Banks is going to laugh his ass off about this.
“A grill challenge it is then,” The chef tapped his chin as if already thinking up recipes. “This is going to be interesting. Thank you, Mistress. I look forward to it.”
“Thank you, Chef. I’m looking forward to it as well.”
The chef gave us a half-bow and went over to the other table.
The servers grabbed empty plates and began lifting the lids from the platters with a flourish, revealing an array of exquisite dishes.
Oh hell yeah. This is what I’m talking about.
Steam rose in the air, carrying mouthwatering scents.
My stomach grumbled.
I turned my attention back to Lei.
The tension from earlier seemed to have melted away.
Lei leaned my way and his soft features were illuminated by the candles’ warm glow.
“So. . .” He took my hand in his, and his touch was warm and reassuring. “How are your sisters?”
“They saw the news coverage.”
Lei pursed his lips.
“They’re worried for me but I know they’ll be fine once they visit us tomorrow and see the house and garden.”
“I was thinking about their visit earlier, when I went to the living room and. . .”
I quirked my brows. “And?”
“I found the photo album and looked in it.”
“Yes?”
“That first picture of our mothers in the garden.” He gestured to the space. “That was taken right here.”
I parted my lips. “Where we are sitting right now?”
“Exactly.”
“Wow.” My eyes watered, but I would not let myself cry.
Mom was here. . .
“And. . .” Lei gazed around at the grass and then turned his view back to me. “Then, I started just thinking about how. . .maybe for tomorrow that picture of our mothers should be at the tea ceremony. Blown up to super big and in a really nice gold frame.”
I struggled with not letting a tear spill.
Lei continued, “I’m not an interior decorator or anything but I’m sure Aunt Min would figure out a great place to put the framed picture.”
“That would be really nice, Lei. Really nice.” I swallowed. “I’m going to be nervous and seeing Mom’s smiling face in that picture will calm me, and. . .remind me of why I’m here.”
“I just wanted your permission to do it since your mother is in the picture too.”
“You have my full permission.”
He squeezed my hand. “I’ll talk to the staff and have them get on it.”
“Awesome.”
“Then. . .”
“Yes?”
“Then, I began walking around the garden and thinking about how. . .there’d been all these weeds that the staff had to dig out today. The garden wasn’t a mess but. . .everyone had been slack with keeping it up. Honestly, I doubt anyone expected another person to be living in this house again.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Either way, the workers just stopped when the sun went down, but they have more to do tomorrow before the tea ceremony and your sisters’ visit.”
“More weeds and manicuring?”
“Yes.”
“Well, don’t worry about the garden being kept up once we move in. My sisters and I will be in the garden every damn day.”
He grinned. “Yeah?”
“Promise.”
“I figured you would say that. So. . .that was when I started thinking that maybe tomorrow your sister’s visit isn’t just a visit .”
I blinked. “What does that mean?”
“Maybe, they just. . .stay. Perhaps. . .it’s not a visit at all.”
I swore a flock of butterflies took flight in my chest. Surely, those wings fluttered, creating this beautiful chaos of emotions.
My heart raced with intensity.
Lei quirked his brows. “What do you think, Moni?”
My mind buzzed with thoughts of the good and bad that could come with moving my sisters in tomorrow versus later.
I loved my sisters dearly, but having them here full-time would be a significant change.
Lei wouldn’t get full-Moni.
Taking care of my sisters would take top priority. Period. They’d lost our mother and father, and needed all of me.
How would I manage spending time with Lei and my sisters?
But then, I thought about the laughter and warmth my sisters would bring to the house, the shared meals, the late-night talks, and the comfort of family close by.
It felt like a dream to have them in this beautiful place for good.
Wow. I wasn’t expecting him to say that.
Still. . .the battle between Lei and Leo was coming—a battle of death. It would be the day after tomorrow.
On that day, I would have to leave them at the house. I couldn't expose them to such danger.
Would they be okay in the East by themselves?
The thought of them being in Lotus Blossom without me and in this strange area. . . sent a tiny shiver down my spine.
I’m probably worrying for no reason.
I was sure they would be safe here but the worry still gnawed at me.
Jo could watch Chloe and T.T. as long as she wasn’t working.
Surely Jo could handle it, especially in a house with a chef and staff. But still, the thought of leaving them behind—in a new area—during such a critical time was unsettling.
What should I do?
I picked up the glass of champagne and took a sip.
Lei let go of my hand and leaned back in his chair. “Are you nervous about them staying in the East?”
“It’s all new and. . .new situations always make me nervous at first. I just have to get used to it.” I took another sip of champagne and then set the glass down.
My sisters were strong, but they had been through so much already.
I knew for a fact that bringing them here permanently would give them a chance to heal, to find some peace.
I let out a long breath. “You know what? Let’s do it.”
“Yeah?”
“Everything will be okay.”
"It will. Your sisters will have their own guards.”
I blinked. “They will?”
“They must.” Lei shrugged.
I swallowed. “Okay. I’ll just have to. . .explain that fact to them.”
How will Jo, Chloe, and T.T. respond to having guards following them around 24-7?
It would be difficult for them and me to wrap our heads around it, but we all would get used to it eventually.
“Anyway. . .Lotus Blossom needs them.” He gave me a sad smile. “And. . .you need your sisters too.”
“I’ve been missing them.”
“Then after tomorrow. . .you won’t be missing them anymore.”
I leaned my head to the side. “And what will be the sleeping arrangements for us tomorrow night?”
He raised his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”
“Will you spend the night with me while my sisters are in the house?”
“It’s either that or I will stand outside your bedroom window tomorrow night and watch you like a. . .” Anger flickered in his eyes. “What did Marcy say? A creepy stalker?”
Oh. . .so we are actually going to argue about this?