Chapter 15: ...some dragon
The new hotel was far better and more expensive than the previous. But you can't put a price on safety or so she tried to convince herself with.
She checked in and took a moment to think of what next to do.
She had to go from easily identifiable to not but she also needed to move fast.
Hong didn't disclose the places the Chen family had told her to look so that was her starting point.
The only information the strange man had was where she could be staying and eating at...and a picture of her.
"Well, so much for destiny and the gods," she said.
Her phone beeped alerting her of what was probably the 40th message from her father.
"Please tell me if you're okay."
"I'm fine papa." She replied tucking the phone away.
She took a seat on the beautiful blue armchair that was opposite the bed.
She wasn't one to live in her imaginations a lot, or try to create a back story to things so they make sense. She dealt with reality as it came, and that has helped her accept things the way they truly are, living life with less things to be disappointed by was the result of that.
But right now, she felt a bit of that disappointment for herself. Her father's words had been unexpected...and hurtful to her heart. Maybe she was reaching for something that wasn't meant to be, maybe she was being an ungrateful daughter going in search of a mother that never cared to come back for her and a family that never wanted her in their life. She should pack up her things, go back home and make more than enough the love her family already give her. She should just pack up and leave.
She frowned, unsurprised to find that she just couldn't give up. She was on her own and it wasn't over until it was over.
She stood up, unpacked and arranged, tried out new looks with her wigs and makeup, planned and plotted while the sun set.
She hadn't thought of food until now, and Sanzhou was a beautiful place as she had read online. A night of sightseeing and good food should lighten her spirits.
Nairobi, Kenya.
Thabiti stood on the open field that served as their backyard lost in thoughts. Today was probably one of his hardest and longest days yet. In his room was a bag he had thrown random things into when he thought he was going to board a plane in search of Hashiki... wherever she was.
But his heart had betrayed him, as well as his thoughts. And he was in this mess because of his words.
How could he have blamed her, he never thought that of her actions but he knew Hashiki wouldn't believe him now.
He sat on the grass letting his though consume him.
"What now?" Xolani appeared from behind him. She had had to leave home last night, emergency at one of the zoo's in the city.
"I messed up." He admitted. "What was the emergency?" He tried to ask.
His wife took a seat beside him. "I'd tell you if you tell me what emergency you may have started with Hashiki." She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Who said it's about Hashiki?"
"Please Thabiti, there's only one person that can make you separate from the world in silence like this, with that particular look on your face." she smiled.
"That doesn't sound like a good thing," he frowned.
"Sure, why should anyone love and care for their child the way you do," raising her head up to frown at him.
"I accused her of not..." His voice caught. In retrospect, when he thought about it, he truly had done her wrong.
"What is it? What did you say?" Xolani placed a hand on his leg, concerned.
Suzhou, Shanghai.
Hashiki had walked a good distance before seeing a place to eat. The hussle and bussle of the city brought her pure joy and relaxed her nerves.
She studied the resturant she walked into, it was serene and had a youthful atmosphere about it with its decor. She was enjoying exploring Chinese food since she arrived in China and so far was loving it. She ordered some dragon noodles and dumpling stir fry that she later decided was her new favorite meal of all time.
Her phone rang, she ignored it. Assuming it was her father she had not bothered to pick it up at all.
The ringing continued and along with it frowns and stares from people around her. "Sorry people!" She yelled out as she finally took the phone out to answer it.
"Hello," she replied fake smiling.
"Hashiki, my love." Her step mother's greeted.
"Mama, I thought you were papa calling," Hashiki confessed.
Xolani laughed at the end of the line. "He's worried about you, and not to mention, sorry about what he said to you. So am I."
Hashiki took a deep breath thinking of a response. "Okay." She said simply.
"Okay? Hashiki don't be like this."
"I can't help it. I can't help feeling like you all believe I don't care about our family enough. It's like a child blaming the parents for not loving him enough coz they are having another child."
Xolani fell silent. She hated arguing with Hashiki. She always won, one way or another. It was a gift she believed. "I think we both know we can't change what's happened. But we also know what he went through for you, with your mother. He's scared to loose you too."
"Mama, this is you making me feel guilty."
"No, no my love, it's just the truth. We all wish it weren't but it is."
"Fine!" She shrugged. "I know he's there with you, give him the phone."
"Good girl."
"Hashiki," her father's voice sounded quiet.
"Hi dad, let's agree never to do that again."
"I accept, sealed and done," he sounded relieved. "I am truly sorry for what I said."
"It's okay papa, I understand where you're coming from. Now more than ever," she admitted.
"How was your day, anything new?" He asked.
She told him of her plans and how she think she was spotted. She was happy to find out he thought same too.
When he told her of his half baked plans to come looking for her she had thrown her head back laughing.
"Tell Geteye and Durah I miss them a lot...and I promise to be careful always." She replied when it was time to end the conversation.
"I love you okay."
"Never doubted you papa," she replied before dropping the call.
Wang's Family Estate.
"Exuse me ma'am. A Mr Juan on the phone for you," the butler, Mr Lee announced as he entered one of the living room where Li Ming was.
"Who?" She asked to confirm, afraid to be hopeful.
"Mr Juan ma'am," he repeated.
She paused for a moment before answering. "Hello."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone