Page 15 of Sweet Dominion

“Are you going to tell me or not?”

She laughed and it was a beautiful sound that filled the night. “My favorite color is pink.”

“Hmmm.”

I returned to the present moment and my gaze roamed the beautifully decorated room once more. Among the myriad of colorful flowers on the wall, I spotted pink blossoms.

A warm feeling spread through my chest and the silliest smile hit my face.

Pink.

Chen leaned my way. “Are you okay?”

“Why?” I turned to him. “Do I not look okay?”

“You look like you have consumed a lot of drugs.”

“I’m not high, I’m just in love.”

Chen frowned.

“There’s a lot of pink on the walls.”

Chen checked the flowers. “You’re right. Do you want me to have our men take the pink flowers off and—”

“No. No. Moni likes pink. It’s her favorite color.”

Chen sighed. “Dear God.”

“What?”

“Nothing. I’ve just been over here worried that you were close to killing Uncle Leo, but apparently, you’re over there lovingly gazing at pink flowers.”

“Well. . .I can’t kill my father in front of all these cameras and ruin Moni’s tea ceremony.”

“Correct.”

I turned to where the wretched man sat.

The long table stretched before me, its polished wooden surface reflecting the soft glow from the chandelier that hung above.

I was seated at the center, serving as the focal point of this ceremony.

While Chen was on my left, my father sat on my right talking with Uncle Song and my aunts.

It was the first time in a long time that we had been this close without the shadow of violence looming over us. Surely, I wanted to grab my decorative sword and slice his throat, but I could tell he wasreadyfor a surprise attack.

Hadn’t he taught me to be that way too?

I studied him.

In the chair, he sat with an alert readiness that was impossible to miss. His jacket was open, allowing easy access to the array of knives I knew he had concealed within. While his face was turned slightly toward Uncle Song and my aunts, engaging in casual conversation, his body was angled more towards me.

It was a subtle, almost imperceptible posture, but I recognized it for what it was—a combative stance, poised for action at a moment’s notice.

He’d taught me that very positioning too.

Meanwhile, I kept my own posture equally prepared, mirroring his readiness without betraying my intent.

---