Chapter 51
As the sisters and Lindsay enjoyed their exuberant conversation with their fathers, all was calm in the halls of a small, yet somewhat luxurious hotel, located on the outskirts of Kingsburg. Within one of its many suites, the mysterious duo of Edyta and Mingxia had decided to spend the night inside, relaxing as they enjoyed a small meal of their own.
The small suite consisted of a living room, two separate bedrooms, and a small kitchen area attached to the living room, complete with a small marble table. Edyta had taken her seat at one end of the square table, having just prepared two places for she and her companion, Mingxia.
Mingxia, having just spent twenty minutes at the stove, tossing vegetables, meat and rice in a small wok while continuously adding spices, deactivated the stove and removed the wok from its heated surface. She spent a few minutes adding some more spices to her concoction, after which she separated the meal onto two plates, humming gently as she did so.
Taking notice of Mingxia's excited demeanor, Edyta decided to initiate a conversation.
"Wow, you have certainly been working hard on task as simple as cooking for two," said Edyta, "That and fact that you have that sly smile on face means you had good night, no?"
Mingxia giggled as she turned towards Edyta, and proceeded to make her way towards her while holding two plates in her palm in the manner of a waitress.
"Oh Eva, you can read me like a book," said Mingxia, "By proxy, I've decided to celebrate by treating us to one of my mother's best traditional Chinese recipes!"
"Oh really," said Edyta, "And what is this recipe?"
At that point, Mingxia placed her two plates down on the table, prompting Edyta's face to transform to a sardonic expression as she laid eyes on a familiar dish; a dish containing morsels of chicken mixed with broccoli and rice,
"General Tso's chicken of course!" said Mingxia.
Edyta rolled her eyes slightly as Mingxia took her seat.
"Interesting," said Edyta, "I am not cultured type, but even I know that this meal is most Americanized version of Chinese food there is to offer, and far from traditional."
"That may be true," said Mingxia, "But it is also the only Chinese dish I know how to make well, so here we are! I am most definitely not an oriental cook by trade, I fare much better with the recipes of my fathers side of the family, but after hearing the girls were having Chinese for dinner I got a craving for it myself."
Mingxia placed a two pairs of chopsticks on the table, after which she sat down, crossing her legs in a lady-like manner.
"So be it," said Edyta, "But if you don't mind, I will be using fork to eat. I could never understand how to use such sticks. Jimmy and Szaloney loved to use, only difference being Jimmy was very good while Szaloney just make mess, much to Cierzina's dismay."
Edyta and Mingxia shared a giggle, at which point Mingxia retrieved her chopsticks, and easily used them to lift a small piece of chicken off of her plate.
"Well, it certainly does make sense," said Mingxia, "He learned from the master."
The two women proceeded to eat, at which point Edyta decided to chime in once again.
"So, enough games and suspense," said Edyta, "Why don't you share details of night with girls."
"Absolutely," said Mingxia, "You will be pleased to know that everything went as planned, and the girls are now safe and sound in the throws of Ms. Williams lovely den."
Mingxia gazed downward towards her plate, whispering to herself in a neutral expression as she completed her thoughts.
"For now..."
"I take it you have got what you needed?," asked Edyta.
"Most certainly," said Mingxia, "And I am also delighted to report that I was able to have a little bit of fun as well! "
Edyta sighed
"I knew it" said Edyta, "You could not deny fact that you wanted to test skills of Annamae after you saw what she did to big ape woman back in New York."
"Guilty," said Mingxia in a bubbly manner, "But rest assured, it was most definitely worth it. I've discovered some very interesting things, including the fact that she wishes to follow in her families footsteps."
"Interesting," said Edyta, her eyes widening slightly, "So, based on your expert opinion does she have what it takes?"
"She is athletically gifted, and has a very strong sense of justice and determination" said Mingxia, "After fighting her, I can conclude with confidence that with a little bit of training, she will make an excellent recruit for the cause."
Mingxia paused, taking a small sip of her tea.
"I'll admit, she reminds me of a bit of myself," said Mingxia, "I am an only child, but my close maternal cousins were always overachievers in academics or the arts, and while I'll admit that I was blessed with excellent academic skills, I wanted nothing to do with it at that time in my life and decided to choose athletics and danger over books. I was the odd one out, a warrior in a family of scholars and researchers, and ironically the most unlikely one of all in everyone's eyes due to my shy demeanor."
Mingxia emitted another small snicker, at which point Edyta decided to take the conversation in a new direction.
"That's great," said Edyta in a rather impatient sounding manner, leaning slightly over the table as she did so, "But we have other unfinished business to discuss. When will we..."
"Please Edyta, your manners!" said Mingxia, "Don't you know it's rude to place your elbows on the table!"
Mingxia giggled as Edyta retook her seat, rolling her eyes as she resumed eating with a slight scowl.
"I have unknowingly waited all these years, I suppose a few days is nothing more," said Edyta.
"On the contrary," said Mingxia, "Things ran much more smoothly than anticipated, and I am able to provide you the answer at this very moment. Just to let you know, I had no doubts once I saw them up close, and if you had accompanied me you most definitely would have been able to settle the issue."
Mingxia retrieved a napkin from the table, and proceeded to use it to wipe her mouth. As she did so, Edyta reached across the table, touching her arm in a gentle manner. This prompted Mingxia to slowly gaze in Edyta's direction, eventually locking eyes with the now wide-eyed woman, who seemed to be displaying an expression of nervousness.
"It's time," said Edyta, "No elaboration, just one word answer...yes or no..."
Mingxia paused for a few moments, staring into Edyta's eyes with a neutral expression, prior to responding with an unknowingly powerful word.
"Yes," said Mingxia.
Those words seemed to strike some sort of proverbial cord with Edyta. The auburn haired woman slowly let go of Mingxia's arm, bringing her hand up to her face as she did so. Within seconds, the normally almost robotic woman's eyes began to become glassy, as a small tear began rolling down her face.
In response, Mingxia placed her chopsticks down on the table, adopting a concerted expression as she rose to a standing position. She quickly made her way around the table, kneeling down next to Edyta as she examined her face in a close manner.
"Eva?" asked Mingxia.
"Yes?" asked Edyta as she turned towards Mingxia, small amounts of tears streaming from her eyes as she did so.
"What is my name?" asked Mingxia as she reached into her pocket, removing a small pen light as she did so.
"Melissa," said Edyta, as she placed her hand over her eyes, beginning to cry in a slightly heavier manner.
"Very good," said Mingxia, "Listen to me Eva, I need to see your eyes. Can you take your hand away from your eyes so I can see?"
Edyta obliged, removing her hands from her now puffy eyes, while turning towards Mingxia.
"Very good," said Mingxia in a gentle manner as she used the pen light to sweep across Edyta's eyes in a gentle manner, "Stay with me okay, tell me why you are crying."
Edyta sniffled.
"She kept it," said Edyta, "She kept promise she made to me. Now there is no reason not to believe things can...things can..."
"Can what...?" asked Mingxia.
At that moment, Edyta appeared to freeze staring forward towards Mingxia in a confused manner. The auburn haired woman remained silent, remaining as still as a statue as Mingxia started into her eyes with concern.
After a few moments of silence, Mingxia rose back up to her feet.
"Almost there," said Mingxia as she placed her pen light back into her pocket, "Every time we try, you are holding on a little longer, and the fact that you were able to cry those tears of joy while speaking to me means you are well on your way to fighting those two evil ones off for good."
At that point, Mingxia lifted her hand upward and proceeded to deliver a swift karate chop to the side of Edyta's neck, causing her body to fall limp. As she fell, Mingxia caught her in her arms, and proceeded to carry her towards one of the bedrooms.
Upon entering the bedroom, Mingxia made her way towards the bed, placing Edyta's now sleeping body down on top of the soft mattress. After ensuring her head was on the pillow, the slim woman stared down at her comrade with an earnest expression.
"Sleep well Edyta, you deserve it," said Mingxia, "You are lucky to be alive after all you have been through, many others fall victim to their own misunderstandings, but you have fought relentlessly to continuously pull through."
Mingxia gazed upward.
"I won't let them take her," said Mingxia, "Just like you wouldn't let them take me."
At the conclusion of her statement, Mingxia reached towards the table mounted lamp, taking hold of it's pull chain with a firm grasp. With one swift motion, she proceeded to yank it in a downward direction, enveloping the room in near complete darkness.
