by Cyci Cade
Kate left the book on the bedside table. On the bed was a long green dress embroidered with a pleat top, a pair of black high heels, a black cashmere coat, and a note. She grasped the paper, unfolded it and understood the reason for Liu’s disappearance.
For our Christmas dinner, be ready at 7:00.
I love you.
Liu was preparing their Christmas dinner. She bit the corner of her lip, her imagination ran riot while she tried to guess how Chinese people celebrated that day.
Kate checked the clock; it was 6:15 p.m. She threw the note on the bed and rushed to the bathroom. Hot water and lather already filled the bathtub covering the entire surface. She kicked off her boots, undressed and slid into the tub. It was delicious and smelled so good, but she didn´t have time, so she dove into the water and got out. She toweled her body while she looked for the hairdryer that Liu had brought to her with lots of other stuff which she didn´t have any idea how to use; the empty walk in closet became crowded overnight.
Still wrapped in the towel, she took the hairdryer out of the box. As she was late she dried her hair and let it down, then sprayed salt-water onto the strands and scrunched from ends to roots to give a different effect on her straight hair.
Next step, she examined the makeup and decided not to put it on, but Liu gave it to her, he might have seen many woman using makeup on the Internet and decided to try it on her. Even in a thousand years Kate wouldn´t be like them, maybe in hairdressers. She wondered if the women used makeup two centuries ago. Probably in China because in Dragon´s Valley they didn´t have those kind of things.
Kate prepared her skin, applied the powder, smiled at herself and dust a neutral shade of blush on the apples of her cheeks as she had watched on the Internet; she bent up toward the hairline and downward to soften the color. She swept a taupe eye shadow color from the lash line to brow bone and lined the upper lash line with a dark eye shadow; she curled the lashes and applied mascara. For her lips she chose a color slightly darker than her lips.
She smiled, admiring her look in the mirror and thanking Mr. Fu Chow for the Internet, uncertain if the master, like the princes called him, would approve of its usage to learn banal things. After all, he acquired those things to help them in their mission.
One side of her face appeared darker. Kate studied the kit and tried to remember what she had to do to fix it. Unsure, she rubbed her fingers on the darker side, it didn´t work properly, only then did she remember that the video said, ‘Never use your fingers, you have the brushes for this.’ Oops!
She didn´t know how to fix it and didn´t have time to restart the whole process. The only solution was to put more makeup on the other side. She did it carefully and stopped when she thought both sides were almost equal. She needed more practice on that stuff. A woman´s life didn´t involve handling a weapon, she also had to learn how to dress, makeup and find balance in those high heels. Women should have natural skills for this.
Certain that she couldn´t do better, Kate ran to the bed, held the dress carefully, lifted it over her head, and let the fabric slide on her body. She zipped it, put on the shoes, and heard a knock on the door. Just in time.
Kate sighed. “Come in.”
After all those harsh days when she thought that her only fate was to save Sam and stay stuck in the village, there she was, a beautiful woman wearing the best clothes in the world waiting anxiously for her date. She was living a real fairy tale because there was a real prince knocking on the door.
Liu entered holding a dark green velvet box; that breathtaking, marvelous, handsome man wearing a black suit, white shirt unbuttoned at the neck revealing a little of his muscled chest, and hair loosened was stood in front of her with his mouth and jaw dropped open.
“You are stunning, the most beautiful woman, and goddess of my life.” He bowed, held her hand and kissed it. “How can stars shine facing your brightness if your beauty overwhelms them?”
Kate giggled. “Stop, Liu. You are embarrassing me.” She spun her head to hide her blushing face that felt on fire under so intense a gaze.
Liu scooped her chin and lifted it in his direction. He smiled with pleasure. Kate felt her body melting under his gaze and waited for his next step. She swallowed dry. She had never seen him studying her in that way; something profound, innovative, and serious was happening.
A breeze of fresh air blew around them renewing their strong feeling, feeding it in such a way that it grew fast and powerful. Its roots dug inside her, authoritative, dominant, taking control of her body and spirit; her reasoning didn´t exist anymore, just a strong feeling called love.
Liu sighed, breathed in and out, and opened the box. “Merry Christmas, my love.”
She lifted her hand and covered her mouth not to scream. “A green sapphire and diamond necklace.” She laughed and cried at the same time. “It is beautiful, where did you find it?” The tip of her fingers touched the jewelry.
“Do you remember?” He gave a lopsided smile.
Of course, she remembered. She was able to tell him each dream they shared in detail. “Yes! I wore it in our first dream. Where did you find exactly the same necklace?”
“It belonged to my mother,” he explained nostalgically, his smile disappeared.
Kate took her hand out of the box. She realized how difficult it was for him. “I cannot accept. It is too expensive and when your mother returns, she won´t like that I have it.”
“I asked about the necklace after the dream and I waited for the best occasion to give it to you. It is yours now.” He took the jewelry and left the box on the bed; his fingers grazed on her neck when he put it on her. His fingers touched her chest and neck while he arranged the necklace and studied his gift on another person that was not his mother. “Let´s go to dinner.” He kissed her cheek.
“Liu, I am sorry. I didn´t buy anything for you, I should have known that you´d give me a present, but the last days were so… mad. Only today I noticed that it was Christmas.” She waited for his disappointment, instead of that, he smiled.
“You are my best gift.” He kissed her again, clasped her hand in his and led her outside.
That was her best Christmas celebration. She truly loved that prince and a thread of hope was born, she could marry him. They could stay together forever; it was the way they would take. A future, planned a long time ago.
Liu opened the Toyota´s door, helped her to get in, walked to the other side, got in, and put the vehicle in motion.
“I thought we´d celebrate with Mr. Fu Chow and Wei.” Kate shifted to get closer to him.
“Christmas has a different meaning in China; it’s more like a Valentine´s Day. It is a romantic date.” His hand lay on her thigh and squeezed it over the fabric.
“Where are we going?” Kate rested her palm on his hand and stroked it.
“Chengdu, it will take an hour and a half to reach there.” He beamed at her and his teeth shone in the darkness, like Wei´s eyes that day he cornered her in the destroyed temple. Dragon´s things, she guessed.
“Why did you choose a distant city?” Kate switched the radio on and tuned into the romantic music.
“Chengdu is a big city and has good restaurants…” Liu gave details about the place during the trip as if he had lived there. He had researched, looked for a nice romantic restaurant for their celebration. He had also researched martial arts weapon shops, car shops, good places to buy clothes, jewelries, and a lot of things that Kate couldn´t comprehend why he´d like to buy those things.
Liu pulled over in front of the restaurant. A valet opened the door, but before he held her hand, Liu was already there to help her. He laid his hand on her shoulder and guided her inside the restaurant.
The place, decorated with candles and flowers, was crowded. All tables were taken, and just when Kate thought they´d have to go back home a man led them upstairs. They passed by the line. Couples that were waiting, maybe for hours, scowled at them. Liu kept his poise and followed the hostess.<
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As they walked amongst the tables, all the women turned to admire the Dragon´s Empire Prince, and Liu smiled at all of them like a rock star. Suddenly, Kate became invisible; her inner star stopped shining, and even wearing the big, bright jewelry, no one saw her. She was a ghost following the most beautiful creature in the world.
When they reached the second floor, Kate breathed in relief. There was only one table with a red tablecloth, red and pink roses in a glass vase wrapped by a golden ribbon, and lit by candles. Red and pink petals covered the floor like a carpet.
Liu held her elbow, guided her to the table and pulled the chair out; while Kate sat down, he took the chair across from her. At the same time the waitress materialized out of thin air beside him; she set the menu in front of Kate and Liu. Kate didn´t handle it, just observed the woman flirting blatantly with her prince and he being too gentle with her.
They talked Chinese; the waitress smiled, glimpsed at Kate, took notes, gestured, took notes and smiled again. At last, she left.
“Are you going to flirt with those women all night?” Kate went straight at the point. She didn´t imagine he was the kind of man that didn´t waste time or maybe like the ancient Emperors who had a wife and a thousand concubines.
“I am not flirting, Kate.” His face hardened.
“You smiled at all those women and waitress. If their dates decided to eat you alive, I´d like to see what you´d do, warrior,” she said ironically.
“Why would they do that? I am a prince, Kate. It is natural that people greet me.” He lifted an eyebrow as he always did when he thought he had a point.
“I saw women wanting to leap over you and men scowling at you. Do you really think they recognized a prince more than two hundred years old?” She leaned forward and whispered in a rude tone.
“Are you jealous?” He chuckled.
“No,” she retorted.
“Yes, you are.” He laughed.
“No, I am not,” she spluttered.
“Yes, you are.” He insisted on his point of view.
“What were you and the waitress talking about?” She changed the topic because she knew he was right, she was jealous, but she wouldn´t confirm his suspicion.
“I ordered duck stuffed with diced chicken, fresh chestnuts, bamboo shoots and mushrooms, stir-fried with slightly undercooked rice. Is it good for you, madam?” He narrowed his eyes.
“And did you take all that time to order our dinner?” She wasn´t convinced.
“She asked what I´d like to drink and I said that I was driving, so I ordered frieze punch bowl.” He folded his arms over the table. “Satisfied?”
The waitress returned bringing their meal, drinks, and cut the conversation off. Kate pretended to look another way to not watch that depressing scene where the liege melted in front of her prince.
Liu took the juice and made a toast. “Merry Christmas, Kate.”
“Merry Christmas.” She sipped the juice. It had a fresh acid taste and was delicious. “Good choice.” She smiled and closed the distance she had put between them.
“Try the food; I haven’t eaten a meal so tasty since…” He rolled his eyes up. “It was too long, I cannot remember.” He laughed.
After that wonderful meal, the waitress returned, cleaned the table and waited next to Liu with an expressive smile.
“Can I order a dessert? You really need to eat it.” He stroked Kate´s hand.
“Yes, please.” Kate glanced at the woman and held his hand firmly; his fingers clicked under her tight grip.
“Fried ice cream and the bill, please,” he ordered in English this time and pulled his hand away.
The waitress returned with their dessert and the bill. They ate the dessert; Liu put the money on the table and escorted her outside under the same women’s glances but with fewer smiles from him.
Although she was pleased, she couldn´t erase that mean feeling called jealousy. She wished she could get super powers to disintegrate those women and shoot an electrical shock in his ribs every time he opened his mouth to smile at them.
Their return was faster, maybe because Kate was planning how to extinguish all women of the planet. She had many ideas, each one more astonishing than other.
When they arrived at the palace, Liu led her to a different room lit by lanterns and decorated with flowers, roses, lilies and another one she didn´t recognize. He turned on the stereo, a romantic song started.
On the table was a champagne bucket. He took the glasses and slid one into Kate´s hand. “I make a toast to the only woman I want, the only woman I love.”
“I love you.” She lifted the glass. “To us, to our future together for eternity.”
They drank. Perhaps Kate exaggerated a little. Liu was a handsome man; it was natural that women looked at him. But he was with her; he chose her instead of any other one. Liu returned the glasses to the table and pulled her to the center of the room.
He glided his hands on her arms and lifted them to rest on his shoulders; his fingers reached her waist in slow motion as if they would never reach their target. He adjusted the distance of their bodies and led her in a slow dance.
“When I have you in my arms and I press your delicate skin, great delight fills my soul. Your embrace captures me. When my lips stroke yours I am in paradise and time stops.” His lips grazed on her neck.
He adjusted their distance again, their bodies fitted perfectly; they were created for that. His lips traveled across her face to end on her mouth. First calmly, then in seconds revealed all that delight and passion he had talked about seconds ago.
Kate reacted to his caress showing the same desire. She grabbed his hair and tugged his mouth closer, as if it was possible. Roots of that feeling called love grew a little more then spread through her whole body, dug deeper in her flesh. She lost her heart for that man, she was in his hands and she liked it, she desired it with her soul.
His lips left her mouth, explored her neck, trailed her collarbone to end on her shoulder, and… What?! He pushed her gently, putting a short distance from her.
Kate´s mouth opened and closed several times while she tried to coordinate her emotions and find some words to protest. “Why did you do this?” She escaped from his embrace; her body ached away from him.
“What?” He studied her with a thoughtful expression.
Did he really not understand?
“When we are near the climax, you stop and throw cold water on my desires. I don´t have a turn on and a turn off button to start when you wish and stop when you decide you don´t wish anymore.” She threw her hands up. “What is wrong with me? Am I not desirable enough, did I do something wrong?”
Liu scooped her face. “I am sorry, Kate. I didn´t know you felt like that. You cannot figure out how difficult is for me to keep far away from you. My body and soul scream for you; don´t do this. I love you, and you are the most desirable woman.” He combed his long hair back and sighed. “I just don´t want to be disrespectful with you. I thought you´d like to wait until the wedding, but if you don´t want, I don´t care.” He wrapped her in his arms. His lips met hers and they moved wildly.
Kate shoved him. “Now will you do a favor for me and satisfy my desires? I know that you had a fiancée.” Why did she bring up that story?
“I didn´t,” he denied.
Such liar!
“Mr. Fu Chow told me.” She put all her cards on the table.
“That was centuries ago, and she was my fiancée as well as Wei´s. We were kids. I cannot believe that you are jealous because of a princess that doesn´t exist anymore.” He shook his head and paced back and forth.
“When your parents return, they´ll find a princess to marry you.” She couldn´t explain how their romantic night got to that point. Now she revealed her insecurities.
Liu snorted. “I don´t want a princess, I chose you and I don´t desire another woman. Why is it so difficult?”
“But you like to have women melting for you. I saw in the re
staurant how they flirted with you.” She sniffed and swallowed the tears.
“I saw those instructors also flirting with you. How do you think I felt with them putting their hands on you to help the lady with this, with that?” he retorted sarcastically.
“You are distorting the story.” She wiped the tears.
“I am not, and if you think I´m not good enough, you are free to find another date,” he said ruthlessly.
“Are you breaking up with me? Fine, go to those women, maybe you can find one that doesn´t want to wait until the wedding to satisfy you.” She shooed him away.
“Maybe I do that. You drive me crazy, Kate,” Liu replied in a treacherous tone and left the room.
Nice, Kate, you screwed up everything again!
Now he´d grab the first woman with a good smile that was ready to spend all Christmas night with a marvelous Chinese prince while she´d go to her bedroom to cry until she dehydrated. She should receive a prize for her stupidity.
Kate kicked off the shoes and plodded to her room feeling miserable. When would she learn how to do it right? She didn´t want to argue with him, just understand him and show how his attitudes hurt her, but she crossed the limits and exploded like an atomic bomb devastating the planet. Boys didn´t work like girls; when would she understand this?
She stopped in front of her door and looked at Liu´s room. She wished to put an end to their disagreement, but that wasn´t the best moment and place. Things could go further out of control, if it was possible. What more could happen? He could dispatch her back home.
Kate entered her room; the bulb lit a box on her pillow. She approached, sat down on the bed, held the blue velvet box and unfolded the card.
I cannot write what I feel for you. You live in my thoughts and I am so in love with you that I want to give you the world, all my love, and show you that I am real.
I wish I could celebrate with you, hold your hand and lead you in a dance. Feel your heart beating against mine, your embrace enfolding me, your lips caressing mine.
I just want a chance to prove that I need you.