Chapter 72 DAY THREE

Chapter 72 DAY THREE
Mei POV

"WELCOME BACK, JUST IN HERE, THERE YOU GO."

Mrs. Koku's voice carries out of the room and rings loudly in my ears before I even reach the door. I hesitate in the hall.

Could I face the old woman?

"Sonja, I'm not feeling well. Could you tell me about the meeting tomorrow?"

She smirks evilly. "Nice try, but everyone has to face their in-laws sometime."

I cross my arms and leer over at her. "They're not my in-laws."

"You be sure to tell them that," she remarks, with a wink as we enter the crowded room.

Fuming, I keep my head down, searching desperately for a seat in the back of the room.

"MAI!"

Nearly jumping out of my skin, I'm forced to grab the chair beside me.

"MAI!" I wince. Even Mrs. Koku's correction of herself is loud enough to rattle the windows. "I MEAN MEI! LOOKING FOR A SEAT?"

I find her in the crowd, her wrinkled face observing me with a strange smile.

I smile back weakly, feeling unnerved.

"WHY DON'T YOU TAKE THIS ONE?" she persists, her smile growing wider, a glint in her eye daring me to refuse as she points to a chair in the front row.

The room has gone relatively quiet. I swallow and turn to begin the long walk to the front. Feeling the keen old woman's eyes on my every step of the way, I fight to keep a composed expression. Once I've stiffly set myself in the suggested seat, she looks to the rest of her audience.

"GOOD EVENING LADIES," she greets, her voice loud enough to be heard clearly in the next room.

"Good evening," is murmured back in a much quieter tone.

"I HOPE WE ALL HAVE HAD AN EVENTFUL NIGHT," she goes on, her eyes practically pinning me to my seat as she speaks the last part.

There are more giggles at this, and then the room quiets down again.

"IT'S LATE SO I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS QUICK. TOMORROW, AS YOU ALL KNOW, IS DAY THREE OF THE FESTIVAL. SINCE WE NOW HAVE OUR MR. MIYUKI AND MRS. MIYUKI CROWNED, IT IS NATURAL THAT THE THEME MOVES FROM LOVE TO MARRIAGE."

At this the old woman pauses to shoot me a significant glance. I shift in my seat, my cheeks growing warm, sure the rest of the room is looking at me as well. I even think I hear Sonja snort somewhere behind me.

"SO TOMORROW IS A DAY OF UNION, AND WHEN I SAY DAY, I MEAN IT. THE FESTIVAL STARTS AT FIRST LIGHT AND ONLY ENDS AFTER THE NIGHT'S PLAY. I SUPPOSE SOME OF YOU ARE WONDERING WHAT IT IS THAT YOU MUST DO TO SYMBOLIZE MARRIAGE. ESSENTIALLY TOMORROW IS THE MERGING OF MR. MIYUKI'S CREATIVITY WITH YOSHI'S INSPIRATION. A PERFECT MATCH, AND THAT IS EXACTLY YOUR GOAL. AS SOON AS YOU WAKE YOU MUST FIND THE ONE PERSON WHO COMPLETES YOU, YOUR PERFECT MATCH."

The old woman stares down at me, giving me a long look which even gives some of Cal's potent glares a run for their money.

"THUS ALL THIS WILL CREATE THE BEST UNION. NOW YOU MIGHT BE THINKING, FINE, EASY. BUT YOU'RE VERY WRONG. LET'S SAY YOU LOVE SHOYA. YOU TWO ARE A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN. SO YOU GET UP IN THE MORNING AND HEAD OVER THERE, YOU KNOCK ON HIS DOOR AND SUMIKO OPENS IT. SHE HAS BEATEN YOU TO SHOYA. THAT IS THE REALITY OF THIS DAY OF UNION. THIS IS THE RULE AND IT IS A VERY BIG RULE: FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE. THERE IS NO SLEEPING IN TOMORROW LADIES."

The ancient woman announces this not without some enjoyment as a few of the women frown.

Sonja's sigh of annoyance is loud enough to be heard across the room. She'd be waking up at the crack of dawn after all.

"IN CASE SOME OF YOU ARE STILL LOST ON WHAT'S SO URGENT ABOUT TOMORROW, LET ME GIVE YOU A GLIMPSE OF WHAT THE HALLS OF THIS INN WILL LOOK LIKE COME MORNING: CHAOS. THERE WILL NOT BE A SINGLE PERSON IN THEIR ROOM. IT WILL BE A MAD DASH TO FIND YOUR OTHER HALF BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE FINDS YOUR OTHER HALF. I STILL SEE THAT SOME OF YOU AREN'T ALL THAT BOTHERED. WELL LET'S CONSIDER THE ONE BIG RULE ONE MORE TIME: FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE. YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE GOING BY THIS, THE MEN ARE TOO, AND YOU KNOW WHAT, THEY MIGHT WANT YOU FIRST. SO HERE YOU ARE, RUNNING FOR SHOYA TOMORROW MORNING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN KEN COMES RUNNING UP, AND THEN THAT IS IT. KEN IS YOURS FOR THE DAY."

Mrs. Koku chuckles softly at the pale faces staring back at her, the idea of being stuck with Ken when they wanted Shoya clearly not to their liking.

"THE FIRST PERSON TO ASK FOR YOUR HAND TOMORROW IS THE PERSON YOU MUST ACCEPT. YOUR GOAL IS TO FIND THE PERFECT MATCH, YES, BUT IT DOESN'T ALWAYS GO THAT WAY. YOUR IDEA OF A PERFECT MATCH WAS SHOYA, AND KEN'S IDEA WAS YOU. ARE WE UNDERSTANDING NOW?"

There are a few weak nods. The old woman smiles, satisfied.

"GOOD. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT YOU GET UP EARLY TOMORROW AND GET TO THE PERSON YOU MATCH BEST FIRST, WHILE MAKING SURE SOMEONE ELSE DOESN'T TRY AND MATCH UP TO YOU."

Her smirk grows wider at the sight of her uncomfortable audience.

"GOOD MATCHES ARE SEEN AS AUSPICIOUS AND LUCKY. BAD MATCHES, WHICH USUALLY RESULT FROM RUNNING INTO SOMEONE YOU DIDN'T WANT TO BE PAIRED WITH, ARE SEEN AS TROUBLESOME AND UNLUCKY. THE BEST UNION OF TOMORROW WILL BE RECOGNIZED THAT NIGHT AS THE PERFECT MARRIAGE OF CREATIVITY AND INSPIRATION. SO GO OUT TOMORROW AND FIND THAT ONE PERSON WHO COMPLETES YOUR CREATIVITY WITH INSPIRATION AND YOUR INSPIRATION WITH CREATIVITY. GO AND CREATE THAT PERFECT MARRIAGE AND REMEMBER THE BIG RULE: FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE."

These final words are met with nervous applause. Excitement and tension hang thick in the air as the women picture that one person special to them, and who would try and beat them to him tomorrow morning.

My mouth is dry.

I glance back at Xiao Shen. For a moment our gazes lock. She smiles coolly and I return it with a brittle one of my own.

That Xiao Shen.

"WELL, I SUPPOSE THAT'S ALL FOR TONIGHT. I WISH YOU ALL LUCK COME MORNING," she declares, dismissing them all with a large grin.

All except me.

Slowly standing up, hoping to melt away with the crowd, I'm stopped when the old woman speaks again. And this time it is not a shout.

"Jasper's room is located in the back half of the inn."

I blink, glancing stunned at the inn owner. She's spoken softly, the contrast of it more startling than her usual volume. I look over my shoulder, no one else has heard. After a moment the old woman takes her leave with a look that seems to say, you know what to do, and a nod.

It's all I can do not to sink back into my chair.

"Coming?" a voice from behind asks.

It's Sonja, a smooth smile spread out across her red lips. I stand up straight and with a frown lead the way out the door, closely followed by an amused Sonja and a thoughtful Xiao Shen. Moving slowly through the congested hall, I hear plenty of whispers.

"I'm going to sleep outside of Akito's door tonight, it's the only way I'll avoid Daichi asking for my hand tomorrow."

"Daichi? I hope I'm not stuck with someone horrible."

I stare hard at the wooden floor I walk over, attempting to block out any more conversation.

Jasper.

Cal.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely notice who's walking toward us until I nearly run into Declan.

"Easy Mei, trying to take me out?" he teases, coming face to face with me.

"Oh, sorry Declan," I mumble, stepping back.

"How about that meeting, ladies?" Sachi wonders, coming up and taking Xiao Shen's arm with a meaningful look.

I purse my lips, refusing to comment. Fortunately I'm not pressed for an answer as Cal doesn't seem to have the patience for trivial questions.

"If that's all, Mr. Sachi, we'll call it a night."

A bit taken aback by Cal's abruptness, the playwright glances at the women, but then nods.

"That's everything."

"Good, then you'll excuse us," Cal comments, looking to the rest of TFP expectantly.

"Sure, good night to you all. I think I'll be seeing you early tomorrow."

As I turn to go, this last sentence halts me.

Who will Sachi pick tomorrow? Xiao Shen? Naomi? The mystery woman, but he can't.

A warm hand comes to rest on my shoulder. Looking up I see Declan staring kindly down at me.

"If you need any reinforcement tomorrow—"

I smile. "I'll know where to find you."

My smile vanishes in the next moment when a familiar voice reaches my ears.

"Good night. Cal, thank you for the lily," Xiao Shen says, standing firm as the playwright attempts to usher her out the door.

Cal turns to face her, offering her a slight nod. "You're welcome."

Pink creeping over her cheeks, and red blazing mine, Xiao Shen finally allows Sachi to lead her away.

That Xiao Shen.

The halls growing empty, the group moves through with relative ease.

"Any news?" I whisper to the monk, half afraid of the answer, my eyes trained on Cal's dark figure walking ahead of us.

A smirk comes to Declan's lips. "Nothing to report except twice the normal glares."

I let out a relieved breath. I've had more than enough surprises for one night. Emeka falls into step beside us, appearing deep in thought. With a slight frown, I touch his shoulder.

"Emeka?"

He blinks and looks to me warmly. "I'm fine. Just thinking."

I nod. I'm doing a lot of that too.

"Thank you again, Emeka, for my lily," I add after walking a while more, watching a couple kiss goodnight.

Turning my head away with a blush, I catch his humble smile.

"You're very welcome, Mei."

On my other side, Declan makes a huffing noise.

"He wasn't the only one to give you a lily, but I see how it is."

"Hmm, you're right, Declan, there was that other guy too," I answer, looking thoughtful, though my eyes sparkle playfully.

He shoots me a look. "Thanks."

With a sigh I summon up the most dramatic expression of gratitude I can manage and take his arm.

"Thank you, Declan, for my lily and my hair clip."

He looks down at me. "That's more like it."

Sharing in a grin, I notice the numbers on the doors beginning to lower. Twenty-two, twenty-one, nineteen.

Room eighteen looms ahead. With purposeful strides, Sonja passes the three of us.

"As fun as all this has been, I'm going to have to say good night," she says, reaching for her door handle, her eyes pointedly avoiding the monk.

But, as I notice, stealing a look his way, Declan's gaze isn't avoiding her.

"Good night," Emeka and I echo as she makes to shut herself in her room.

The lighting in the hall is dim, but I could have sworn a slight blush touches her cheeks. I nudge Declan and he lets out a belated, "night," as the door shuts in our faces.

"What?" he shrugs at my hard look.

Shaking my head I look away.

Sometimes, Declan.

Our small group continues on in thoughtful silence, following Cal's lead. A moment later room seventeen comes along.

"Tonight was nice. You enjoyed it, didn't you, Mei?" Emeka wonders as we approach his door.

I smile as brightly as I can, hoping Sachi and all I saw tonight doesn't reflect in my eyes as I gaze back at him.

"I did, but you owe me a dance," I protest lightly.

He smiles, a faint blush coming to his cheeks. Looking back into his warm eyes, I know he's recalling his dance with Xiao Shen.

"I'll be sure to make it up to you," he promises.

He reaches his room and opens the door.

"Good night," he wishes with a kind smile.

"Good night," Declan and I answer.

The door to room seventeen closes and we continue on.

"I wish I knew what they talk about," I murmur, glancing up at Cal and Ren, some feet ahead of us, appearing to be in deep conversation.

Declan gives me a sidelong look, a slight smile coming to his lips. "Oh, I have a guess."

"Declan!" I protest, my face flushing red as I give him a shove.

My cry catches Cal's attention; he pauses speaking with Ren to glance back at the two of us. Declan grins back at him and I turn a shade darker.

"Thanks a lot," I say in a lowered voice, narrowing my eyes at him, who holds up his hands innocently. "You're the one who has to go shouting things."

Looking back up the hall, I catch sight of Ren disappearing into his room.

"And then there were three," Declan says so only I can hear as we approach Cal.

He barely gives us a look before continuing on, his mind apparently elsewhere.

"My room's just a few doors down, but I could always escort you to yours if you're not comfortable being left alone. We wouldn't want any more manhandling going on."

Turning crimson to the roots of my hair, I shove him hard and frown when he doesn't protest. Noticing my dissatisfaction he states simply, "Wrong shoulder."

Cal pauses at Declan's door and we close the gap, albeit slowly as I drag my feet, my face burning with the image the monk put in my head. Grinning all the way, Declan glances down at me.

"Last chance," he offers out of the corner of his mouth.

"Go," I retort stubbornly, though I find myself gripping his arm.

"Good night," Cal says, with a nod toward Declan.

He returns the gesture and then pulls me into a quick hug.

"Sweet dreams."

"Good night, Declan," I answer, hugging him back.

"Oh, look at Cal, I think he's jealous. Be sure to give him a hug good night too," he whispers, looking at our boss as he pulls away from me, leaving me miserably red.

Unable to fight back, I'm forced to watch the monk eye us both knowingly before closing the door.

The silence in the hall is punctured only by the sound of my pounding heart. Swallowing, I attempt to gather myself. Cal's gaze falls on me, then he starts walking. I blink, fighting down a blush. Words like manhandling and over my dead body spin around in my head, making me feel confused and flustered. I give Declan's door one last look before drawing in a deep breath and following after my boss.

People are moving behind the doors I pass. I hear music from one room and imagine a couple dancing. I hear giggles and picture a bunch of girls counting their lilies. I hear someone say my name, and think of—

I come to an abrupt stop, nearly walking straight into Cal. Swiftly he catches my wrist as I stumble back. Heat emanating from his grasp, it's all I can do not to yank my arm free. He releases my wrist and looks to my door.

"You were going to walk past your room."

I follow his gaze in an effort not to look at him. "Oh, well—" I trail off, uncertain what to say.

This is ridiculous. Why do I feel so uncomfortable? This is Cal, the cold-hearted, ambushing, work-you-to-the-bone, let Xiao Shen hang off him Cal.

"Good night," I finish, confidence coming from the spark of annoyance I've managed to kindle.

My angry thoughts have to work overtime in the next moment though, when I meet his gaze. I tell myself the heat creeping up my neck is just me getting worked up and not another blush.

I cast a quick glance down the hall, some small part of me hoping Declan is coming to save me, and then back to Cal. Realizing that we're standing too close and that I've already said good night and should be in my room, I reach for my door handle, giving what I hope to be a departing smile, only my way is blocked. By Cal's arm. My smile falls from my face. Declan had warned me about manhandling.

Leaning in ominously, near enough for me to smell the faint scent of tea that hangs about him, he looks down at me. Fortunately, or not, his eyes mean business.

"Are you sure you have nothing else to tell me?"

I blink, attempting to regulate my heartbeat as I stand in such close proximity to him, nearly pinned in my own doorway. But the small flame of anger is still lit in my chest.

Why is this question familiar? If he thinks a surprise interrogation late at night will get him answers he's in for strike two.

I frown back at his accusing stare.

"No, nothing. Now if you don't mind—"

Cal's arm falls from the doorway and I back a few steps into my dark room. He observes me for a moment, an emotion I can't quite place residing in his dark eyes, and then he looks away.

"Good night, Mei."

"Night," I answer, but he's already gone.

Slowly I close my door, resting my forehead against the cool wood. With a deep sigh I stare down, surprised to see that I'm not enveloped in darkness. A white glow lights the room. I lift my head and turn to face the window with the view of the garden. The drapes pulled open from earlier, it's letting in the full moon's light, the silver beams shining brightest on my bed, where something sits, glimmering.

I squint in confusion and step away from my door.

What?

Tentatively I approach my bed, unable to believe my eyes. Blinking rapidly, I come to stand over it, its delicate petals gleaming as if made of crystal. My breath hitches somewhere in my throat. I reach down to take hold of the mysterious treasure left on my bed. Cupping it in my hands, I'm finally forced to acknowledge that it's real.

I have been given a moon lily.