Chapter 81
Hitomi woke up to the feeling of dryness inside her mouth. Opening her eyes she found that it was still deep in the night. Knowing that it was impossible to continue sleeping while she was thirsty, she turned around and found that the other side of the bed was empty. Raising a questioning eyebrow she sat up in bed and took the blanket, pulling it over her shoulders and leaving the bedroom, padding down the stairs.
Instantly she spotted that the light in the kitchen was on and made her way over. Stopping inside the door frame she saw Leifang sitting at the table, only wearing a bed robe that she didn't bother to tie at the front, deeply engrossed in the note sheets lying in front of her. Hitomi noticed the half-empty glass of water standing to her side. She was so beautiful.
"Couldn't sleep?" she called to the Chinese, who quickly looked into her direction.
"I was a bit thirsty and since I was already awake I figured I could do a last check up. And you?"
"Heh, same here, minus the last check up." Hitomi said and walked over to Leifang, sitting down beside her and taking the glass. "Can I?"
"Sure." Leifang smiled and watched Hitomi drink the last of the glass's content. In this light, with her hair disheveled and only clad in her blanket, she looked so incredibly cute.
After drinking the water she placed the glass to where it was before and took hold of Leifang's right hand. "I'm sure it's going to be perfect and you're going to look absolutely stunning. Well that is if you get enough sleep." she said and got back onto her feet. "Come on, let's go to bed."
"Yeah, you're right." Leifang agreed and took the note sheets. "Go on ahead, I'm just gonna put those away."
As they left the kitchen Leifang turned off the light and walked over to the living room table where she placed the note sheets back into the small folder that she had gotten especially for that purpose, then followed after Hitomi. Inside the bedroom the German was already back lying in the bed, blanket spread out over her.
Leifang closed the door and dropped the bed robe to the ground before joining Hitomi inside the bed, who wasted no time pulling their naked bodies close to one another to share their warmth.
They stayed like that for a few minutes, just looking into one another's eyes, until Leifang broke the silence. "You're the best thing that happened to me." she brushed her fingers against Hitomi's cheek. She giggled. "Ironic, back when we first met I thought you were pretty stupid. But at the same time I was also envious because you still were so determined and cheerful all the time."
Chuckling she asked. "Remember the cabbage thing?"
"Of course, how could I forget?"
"I did that to get a rise out of you. You know, provoking you. Worked a little too well the way you beat me up. And still we became friends and now here we are." Leifang became a bit bashful now. "If I hadn't met you I might still not know what to do with my life right now and I surely wouldn't experience these feelings."
"And like I said I'm not going anywhere." Hitomi said and placed her forehead against the Chinese's. "You bought it you keep it."
Leifang giggled and rubbed their noses together. "I'll gladly keep you."
"Good. Because I want us to built a future together."
"Are you absolutely, one hundred percent sure you want that?" Leifang asked, bringing her lips as close to Hitomi's as possible without touching them. "Because I don't think I could ever turn back if this doesn't work out."
"There's nothing I have been more sure of." the German whispered and closed the distance, capturing her lips in a deep kiss. Under the covers her right hand sought out Leifang's and interlaced their fingers.
After breaking the kiss brown and blue eyes met and they smiled at one another.
They awoke after a good night's sleep later to the sound of the door opening, but thinking it was the other girl respectively they didn't think anything of it...until a voice called out in Mandarin, making their eyes shoot wide open and causing them to sit up in bed at the same time.
There in the doorway was the woman that Hitomi knew had worked as Leifang's housekeeper, and apparently still did so. She should have guessed as much from the way the penthouse looked like.
"Zhen?" Leifang asked.
"I'm sorry I was told you would be here but I didn't," she averted her eyes and the fresh air flowing in through the door reminded them that they were very much naked right now, making them cover themselves with the blanket. "Erm I'll clean up the bedroom later then."
Hitomi watched as the woman hurried out of the room then turned to Leifang, who was releasing a sigh. "Oh boy."
"You know, it's probably not a good thing, but I'm starting to get used to people walking in on us one way or another."
"Not like we can change it now." Leifang shrugged and got out of the bed, picking up the bed robe from the ground and putting it on, tying it tightly in the front. She then walked over to the closet and pulled out another one that she handed to Hitomi. "Come on, we need to get up anyway. Why don't you prepare a bath for us?"
Hitomi got off from the bed and put on the robe, giving Leifang a small peck on the lips before leaving the bedroom. "Sure thing."
The Chinese herself headed down the stairs and into the kitchen where she could hear the older woman working. Inside she sat down on the table where she had been sitting the night before.
"It's good to see you again Zhen." she said.
Zhen in turn released a shaky breath. "Good to see you too, though I think I might have preferred not to walk in on you and your...friend?"
"Girlfriend." Leifang corrected her.
Zhen turned around. "I'm sorry. I just didn't expect you...you know."
"Does it bother you?"
"I'm afraid I don't know." she shook her head before going back to what she was doing: preparing something to eat. "I never gave the idea much thought, but it won't impede on my working performance. Is this the reason why your father doesn't speak of you?" her hand went up to cover her lips. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to presume."
"Don't worry. And yes it is, well among other things. I'm here to change that."
"Yes your mother told me about it. I really hope you succeed."
"Thanks, that means a lot." Leifang smiled before getting back on her feet. "I'm going to take a bath."
"Enjoy your bath then, Miss Gāo" Zhen said in a pleasant tone. "When you're finished breakfast will be ready for you two."
Ever dutiful Zhen Leifang chuckled to herself and left the kitchen to join Hitomi in the bath.
"Wow, this place is just...Wow!" Hitomi said as they entered the lobby of the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong located in the Wan Chai district of Hong Kong Island. "I thought our stay in Hamburg was classy stuff but this? I think I'm vastly underdressed." She pointed at her very usual jeans and tank top combo.
Of course she had a dress with her, but since it wasn't evening she didn't want to risk ruining it. But from looking at this place she feared that it might not be formal enough.
"Nothing but the best of the best for Gāo Jintao and his business associates." Leifang said right before stepping up to the reception, then started talking to the receptionist in Mandarin. Hitomi all the while looked around. The view was magnificent and she was only looking out the front windows of the first floor!
Holding this gala evening must cost a fortune. That was a lot of money spent on meeting with other businessmen, representatives of charity organizations and most likely a few politicians as well. But then again Leifang's family could afford it in a heartbeat and even if no business would come to fruition tonight the loss would only amount to peanuts in the end for Jintao.
"Hitomi?"
She turned around to see that Leifang was finished talking and was waving her over. They made their way over to the elevators off to the side and rode it up to the 10th floor.
"So, did your parents get a huge ballroom?" Hitomi asked with a grin.
"No," Leifang grinned in return. "That one was unavailable. We're heading up to the residence-"
"Wait there really is a ballroom here?!"
"-Which is a suite made out of three actually," Leifang continued, not being fazed by Hitomi's short outburst. "Called the Drawing Room, the Lounge and the Library."
"Wow, just wow." Hitomi shook her head. "Being rich is crazy."
"I think if you're rich it's called eccentric." Leifang joked. They stepped out of the elevator and were greeted with people busily walking around the hallway so it was easy for them to know where to go exactly. Arriving inside The Residence Hitomi immediately spotted Leifang's mother giving out orders and while she couldn't understand all that she was saying she knew that the older woman had everything under strict control here.
"Sweetie, I'm gonna take a look around, ok?"
Leifang raised a curious brow. "Ok, I'll be talking with my mother then." She said and Hitomi headed off to look around. She watched the German for a few more moments until she shrugged and went over to her mother.
"I see you have everything under control." she said, making the woman turn around to face her daughter.
"Hmpf, of course." she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "If I wasn't here we wouldn't be ready for tonight."
Turning her head she addressed one of the personal coming through the door, holding a box in his hand. "That's going over there." she instructed him and shook her head afterward. "Headless chicken I tell you." looking around for a moment she asked. "Where's Hitomi?"
"She taking a look around-ah over there she is." Leifang pointed to where the German was standing, looking fascinatingly at the cut-glass chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
"I know this is most likely going to sound rude, but tell me she has some more formal looking clothes." her mother said, earning herself a small glare from Leifang.
Rolling her eyes the young Chinese said. "Yes, don't worry she has a dress and yes it's suitable for tonight."
"I'm sorry I didn't mean any harm by it. There are going to be some important people here tonight and I figured it would be best if your girlfriend was dressed for the occasion. But if you say it's suitable then that's it." she turned when someone whispered something in her ear. "Yes, tell them to bring it up here."
She turned back to Leifang. "But let's get to the reason you're here. Please come with me."
Leifang followed her mother as she led her out of suite and into adjacent one, where it was less busy because everything was already set up, though there were still some people doing preparations here and there, but nothing major. The two women stopped in front of the piano that she would play tonight.
Putting her right hand under her chin she walked to it, taking a peek inside before playing a little melody on the keys.
"Everything satisfactory?"
"Yes." she nodded and smiled. "Would it be alright if I rehearse a little?"
"Absolutely." The older woman turned to the few people here and told them to leave the room then followed them, stopping at the door. She sent Leifang a smile over her shoulder. "Take all the time you like."
"Don't worry I won't need long." Leifang watched as her mother left and closed the double-doors behind herself. Releasing a sigh she pulled the note-sheets she had inspected yesterday out of her handbag and put them on the piano, then sit down in front of it to get started.
Hours later, it was now 7.30 p.m., Hitomi and Leifang had been back at the penthouse for some time now and were just getting into the back of the ride that Leifang's mother had provided for them. As soon as they closed the doors the driver pulled out of the driveway and headed for their destination.
"Could I have your mirror?" Hitomi asked Leifang who in turn groaned.
"You look fine, love." she said but still looked through her handbag and with a roll of her eyes handed the Karateka a small hand mirror. What felt like the hundredth time now Hitomi inspected how she was looking. Just for tonight she had gotten a real make over, plucked eyebrows, eyeliner, eyeshadow, some make up on her cheeks and to finish it up she was wearing deep crimson lipstick just like Leifang did right now.
She really wasn't the type of girl that wore so much make up, but the older girl had insisted, telling her that she would look beautiful with it. She supposed she was looking pretty but to be honest she was feeling a little uncomfortable. At least it was fine that she wore her hair pulled back into her normal ponytail.
For today she was also wearing a nice sky-blue dress that she hadn't worn in a long time, her graduation to be precise, and it was most likely the single most expensive piece of clothing she owned, dug out of her wardrobe just for this occasion. Same went for the pair of matching high-heels.
Sighing she handed the mirror back to Leifang. "I feel weird."
"You're not. You're beautiful." the Chinese smiled and put the mirror back.
"Yeah well, let's just say you owe me one for this sacrifice today, okay?"
Placing her head on Hitomi's shoulder Leifang smiled, saying. "I owe you more than one already."
"Besides," Hitomi took a good look at Leifang and her voice became a whisper. "You're the one that's beautiful."
And she was. Leifang, in her very biased opinion, wore the make-up much better than her. She wore a long black dress that went down to just above her ankles and had a cut on the left side to show a decent amount of leg. To it she wore a pair of heels as well, but on a much shorter scale than usual because they would otherwise hinder her while playing the piano.
So in a funny twist of fate Hitomi was in fact wearing higher heels than Leifang. What were the odds, really?
"So anything I should keep in mind once we're there?"
"Well do you know any swear words in Mandarin?"
"Haven't gotten to those yet."
"Then I think smiling and nodding occasionally will do fine for you."
"Well I can do that." she said while nodding and smiling for a few seconds to show off said skills, making Leifang laugh.
They spent the rest of the ride with idle small talk about this and that until they they arrived. Stepping out of the car Hitomi was a bit disappointed NOT to see a red carpet and they wasted no time heading up with the elevator. Up in The Residence there were a lot of people, most of which Hitomi didn't recognize, but Leifang helped her there by explaining who was who, at least those that she knew herself.
They were just making their way to where Leifang would later play, passing an older man who was apparently the prefect of police, when Leifang gasped and halted in her steps.
"Sweetie, what's wrong?"
"Oh. My. God." Leifang said and pointed with her finger up ahead to a group of people. "That's...That's Pai Chan!"
Looking into the direction she was pointing the German saw that, indeed, it was world famous Kung Fu movie star Pai Chan in the flesh currently in conversation with someone she didn't recognize. Her hair was much shorter than the hairstyle she usually had in her movies, but looked all in all rather stylish.
"Wow...Never knew that she's an associate of your father."
"Neither did I." Leifang licked her lips. "Maybe I should get an autograph..."
"Don't you think that would look kinda weird?" Not that she wouldn't love to go over there and ask for one too.
The Chinese mulled this over for a moment then nodded, her shoulders slumping. "Yeah you're right."
Continuing onwards Hitomi learned about a few more people she would most likely never see again after tonight until they stopped when they saw Leifang's mother talking with someone that was unmistakably Leifang's father. To their surprise there was also a certain Helena Douglas standing with them and taking part in the conversation.
For a second the German saw doubt in Leifang's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination and they made their way over to them. Hitomi overheard a little of what they were saying.
"You see Ms. Douglas, this is why we should invest in Indonesia now before someone else does. There's a lot of money to make in a country on the rise."
"I agree," Helena said. "Though the question is in what to invest directly as like you say it's a country on the rise and-" she fell silent when she looked towards who was approaching and was surprised for a moment to see two familiar faces here.
"Hello father." Leifang said as soon as they stopped and Hitomi noticed that the man's shoulders stiffened. Slowly he turned around to face them, his eyes only taking in Hitomi for a second before resting on his daughter. One could see very easily the clenching of his jaw.
"Leifang," he managed to say. "Hitomi. What a surprise." he turned to face his wife. "I presume you are the one I owe it to?"
"Yes I am." The older woman huffed and narrowed her eyes at her husband. "I asked her to come so that she could play the piano for your honorable guests." she walked closer to him and poked her index-finger against his chest. "And after that you two are going to talk things over. Have I made myself clear you stubborn mule?"
He didn't say anything.
"Good." she turned to Hitomi and Leifang with a pleasant smile. "You two look absolutely stunning."
"Thank you." Hitomi said even though she only understood a little of what she said and watched as her girlfriend and the man competed in their own private staring contest, both their jaws clenched tightly. After a moment of this Leifang averted her eyes.
"I'm going to prepare." she said, turned to Hitomi and gave her a small kiss on the lips. "I'll take this a small lucky charm." she smiled slightly and headed off towards the piano. Hitomi watched her for a moment, then turned back to the other three people and noticed that Jintao didn't take his eyes off his daughter. Then she saw something she never thought she would. Jintao sighed and slumped his shoulders a little. "Excuse me for a moment." he said and walked to greet someone.
"Uh, I don't think that worked to well." Hitomi said.
"On the contrary." Leifang's mother said and headed after her husband.
With a sigh of her own she turned to Helena. "Since I'm the only one left I think I should apologize on the behalf of everyone?"
The blonde smiled and shook her head. "No need to, I had my own share of family drama back in the day. Though I didn't know Leifang and Mr. Gāo were related, but I guess the world is small and full of surprises."
"It sure is."
"Mind if I ask what the matter is?"
"Just the usual finding out that your daughter is dating another woman and doesn't want to walk in your footsteps-drama." Hitomi said and took one of the glasses of champagne standing on the table, taking a sip from it.
"I think I understand. And I presume today is the force them together to talk-moment?"
"That's right. I just hope they make peace." Hitomi frowned. "But enough about that, are you here alone or with a date?"
"Date?" she laughed. "Well if you want to call him that, then yes." she pointed up ahead and Hitomi spotted the familiar face of Bayman leaning against a column, looking less than thrilled at having to wear a suit and spending an evening with high-society. "He's here as my bodyguard."
"Guess if someone is as important as you a bodyguard is almost mandatory." Hitomi said.
"I'm afraid it is."
They stood there in relative silence, watching the other people talk amongst themselves until Leifang's parents returned. Jintao wasted no time addressing Hitomi.
"I must apologize for my display a few moments ago." he said. "And it's a pleasure to meet you again. Though I hoped the occasion could have been a happier one. I must also apologize to you Ms. Douglas-"
"No need to, I understand." Helena said with a pleasant smile.
"Thank you."
"It's nice to see you again too." Hitomi said and took him aside when Helena was so nice to start up a conversation with the older woman, in fluent Mandarin too!
"And I think the occasion can still be a happy one."
"Did she tell you what I said that day? That I called your relationship and her decision nonsense?"
"Yes." she nodded. "But did you mean it?"
He didn't answer her.
"I love your daughter and she loves me as well, that's nothing that can be changed, we can't decide who we fall in love with and who not. And I can attest that she was never happy with having to inherit your business." she told him. "And I think deep down that you knew it too. She's your daughter, but she's also her own person. Just like how she picked Tai Chi over Wing Chun, it's just not the path her life choose for her."
"I will...think about what you said. Thank you." he said and they returned to the other two women. And not a moment too early as the sound of the piano echoed throughout the room, making most people look to where the sound came from as there hadn't been an announcement that someone would play tonight.
Leifang's fingers slowly glided over the keys as she played Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, a song that she thought was quite befitting of tonight. Hitomi watched her with a smile, turning to Jintao.
"Just listen to the determination of following her own dreams." she whispered and then fell silent so that they could listen to Leifang's playing.
Ha ha! Pai Chan cameo!
Well I wonder what could happen next?
Hehehe...a-ny-thing!
See you next week!