Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“We do not.” Chen held up his watch. “Anyway. Monique, as Lei said, you are a treasure to behold this evening, and due to your heels, we of course did not expect you to climb the mountain path.”
She raised her eyebrows. “I was wondering about that.”
Chen gestured to my mother’s royal chair. “These men will carry you up.”
She widened her eyes. “Seriously?”
Chen nodded. “All you have to do is get in. They will lift and be as careful as possible as they take you up to the top.”
Monique moved her attention off the chair and gazed at me. “And you aren’t going to beat them up for basically doing their job and carrying me?”
The line of my jaw twitched.
Duck snickered.
No humor hit her face. “Mountain Master?”
I took a step forward, slicing up the few feet between us. “Let’s hope they keep their gazes off of you and their hands positioned in the proper places.”
She frowned. “Let’s hope.”
It was clear she had a lot more to say but wouldn’t in front of everyone.
Chen clapped his hands. “Okay. Everything is clear. Let us go enjoy the feast.”
“I’ll walk you over.” I tried to take her hand.
She politely stepped out of my reach. “Thank you, Mountain Master, but I would rather walk over there by myself.”
And then she was gone, strolling away and giving me a lovely view of her plump ass.
Bu, I must touch you.
I tried to rush after her, and Duck and Chen blocked me.
I kept my voice low. “What the fuck are you two doing?”
Duck scowled. “We are preventing you from further fucking this up.”
Chen crossed his arms over his chest. “I concur.”
“Get out of my way.”
They stayed exactly where they were.
Duck shrugged. “You look nice. Do you really want to wrestle with the both of us in the dirt and in front of her? Are you sure you want to dirty your shiny outfit?”
I turned to Hu. “Straw Sandal.”
Hu grinned. “I do not see any threat at this time, Mountain Master.”
I checked the left.
There, Monique approached the chair slowly, her every step oozing grace. I couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the play of her lace dress against her ass.
My heart pounded.
I licked my lips. “I just want to go over there and help her in.”
Duck snorted. “I bet you do.”
“Yan is here.” Chen pointed to the top of the mountain. “Let us not forget about that.”
I continued to watch Monique. “I want her next to me, during the feast.”
Chen nodded. “Yan will be—”
“Not Yan.” I rolled my eyes. “Monique.”
Chen shook his head. “Yes. She will be next to you, and by the way, she is still mad if you didn’t notice.”
“I noticed.” I kept my view on Monique.
“However, she is doing a good job of maintaining her anger.” Chen sighed. “Which means that she understands the seriousness of this feast and will not do anything to show a crack in our armor. Yan will probably not notice—”
“I don’t care about Yan—”
“I ask that you give Monique space as we venture up the mountain.”
“What?” I looked at him.
Chen bobbed his head. “Duck and Hu will walk beside her. We should remain further behind.”
“Why would I allow that?”
Duck spoke, “Because on the journey up, I will make her laugh so much that a good bit of her anger will disappear.”
“But can I trust you?”
“Of course, Mountain Master. I told you that I was stepping aside.” Duck groaned in annoyance and headed off.
Chen scowled. “Work with us, please.”
I ran my fingers through my hair. “I want this feast done fast so Monique and I can talk.”
“Then, after you, Mountain Master.” Chen moved out of my way.
I began to walk forward and watched Monique up ahead.
With a resigned sigh, she lifted her dress slightly and gracefully lowered into the chair.
As she settled in, the men bowed slightly in respect. She gave them a polite nod, her poise never faltering, even though I sensed her discomfort.
She was made for this.
In that moment, she reminded me of my mother.
Chen hurried off and clapped his hands. Due to that, the four men took their positions by the poles and lifted it up from the ground.
A small shriek came from Monique, but she regained her balance and went silent.
Duck got on the left of her.
Hu went to the right.
And I. . .unfortunately. . .remained several feet behind with Chen walking on my side.
Chapter eleven
Impossible
Monique
Last week at this exact time, I was waitressing at the strip club, almost blinded by harsh neon lights and gaudy decor.
Every time I looked up at those lights, I’d dream of a brighter, different life, but knew that the chances of anything more for myself was very fucking dim.
Impossible, even.
Carrying heavy trays loaded with drinks and oversized bowls of salted popcorn, I remembered this one regular—a man that could have been my grandfather—who’d once whispered in my ear, “You don’t belong here.”