Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 624(@200wpm)___ 499(@250wpm)___ 416(@300wpm)
What?
Chapter thirteen
Cockology
Moni
Lei stared at the phone like it was burning hot and covered in poison.
On the screen, Leo was frozen mid-speech, his expression serious and commanding. The background showed the huge image of my mother and Lei’s as they sat in the garden. His seat hadn’t been over there, so Leo must have walked to that image to speak.
Lei's jaw tightened and I could feel the tension radiating from him. “I don’t even want to see my father right now or hear his voice.”
I stiffened.
Lei looked up at Chen. “What did he say?”
Chen took a deep breath, glancing at both of us before speaking. “Uncle Leo explained the delay in the ceremony by saying that when Monique saw the picture of her mother next to the Grand Mountain Mistress, so much emotion hit Monique’s eyes, and he actually saw tears form.”
Wow. Leo can lie his ass off and without any need for notice.
I shook my head.
“He went on to say that his heart warmed in that moment and he knew God had blessed him with his true daughter.”
Lei’s frown deepened, but he remained silent.
“Then, Uncle Leo shed two tears. Exactly.” Chen held up two fingers. “I counted.”
Lei rolled his eyes.
“And once he slyly showed those two fallen tears to each and every camera in the room, Uncle Leo explained how he had met Monique long ago while meditating under a tree and asking for God to bring a good woman to his son.”
Oh damn.
“He says that after ten minutes of deep prayer, Monique appeared, dressed in blue and reading her Bible.”
Now Leo. . .you know damn well I didn’t have a Bible with me. Not to mention the fact that you set that whole meeting up.
“It was there that Uncle Leo rose from the tree—”
“Like Jesus?” Lei narrowed his gaze at Chen.
“Well. . .Uncle Leo didn’t go that far, but he said that he left the tree, stopped Monique, and there they spent the day talking about scripture—”
“Alright. I’ve heard enough.” Lei guided me away.
No wonder the Mirage staff was greeting me all crazy. They must think I’m the Virgin Mary or something.
Chen called after us, “Uncle Leo said that you saw the heartbreak in Monique’s eyes over her mother and the Grand Mountain Mistress, that was why you took her out to the garden!”
“I don’t fucking care!” Lei increased our pace. “Just make sure everything is in place for the cookout and make damn sure that my father doesn’t make a surprise appearance.”
“Yes, Mountain Master.”
As we headed up a grand swirling staircase, Lei finally loosened his grip on my hand. His eyes were unreadable, but I was sure there was a storm of emotions hidden behind them.
Leo, you keep surprising. . .
I considered it all—the lies, the deceit, and the picture-perfect illusion that Leo sold to the public.
Unfortunately, all that would have to die with Leo.
There was no way anyone would see me walking around reading a Bible unless I was actually reading it. And even then, I wouldn’t play with God like that.
No way.
If I were going to rule the East next to Lei, I would be keeping it absolutely real the entire time.
No fake talk.
No bullshit.
No made-up stories to account for this or that.
Hopefully, they all accept this shift to reality because I can’t stand there on camera and lie to thousands of people. I’m not built like that.
As we climbed higher, the sounds of the staff and our people faded behind us, until we finally reached the top level where there was only a set of double turquoise doors right before us.
Silent, Lei pushed open the double doors to a bedroom that felt like stepping into a dream.
Oh my.
The room was a perfect harmony of sky blue and white, so much so that when I stepped inside, I swore I was floating among the clouds. Soft, billowing white curtains framed the expansive windows, allowing golden afternoon light to pour in and bathe everything in this heavenly glow.
Of course even the bedroom would be magically captivating.
This soothing blue coated the walls among these delicate white patterns that mimicked the gentle, flowing movement of clouds.
A seating area near the window featured a low table with delicate blue and white porcelain teacups. Steam rose from the cups, telling me that the staff knew damn well the bedroom would be our first stop during our visit.
I bet the view from the windows is breathtaking.
I scanned the space some more.
Just wow.
The bed stood as the centerpiece—a massive structure draped in luxurious fabrics. The comforter was a plush, inviting cloud of white, with sky-blue pillows that added a touch of serenity.
That told me that the sheets would be of the finest quality.
Cool and smooth to the touch.
The headboard was actually carved in this ocean wave pattern.
A subtle scent of lavender filled the room, mingling with the fresh sea breeze that wafted in through the open windows.