Chapter 325 - The breakfast-1

"Hello there." Suyin bent under the table and came out stroking a white puppy, curled up in her palm like a fluff ball. The puppy took few sniffs before l.i.c.k.i.n.g her hand. A tempting invitation to stroke its fur. "So you were keeping this cutie from me? How mean!"

She looked at Honey. "How can I get angry over this ball of cuteness? Of course, you can keep it." It's a positive sign in Honey's mental growth considering he used to keep his distance from animals because of experience. "But first we'll get him checked and vaccinate. Aww.... we are having an addition to the family!"

Honey swallowed.

"What breed it is, any idea?" it was tiny, round like a bear, eyes as dark as night, and a very long furry tail. It was so furry that she could dust the house with it. "Do you think it's a Siberian husky? But aren't their eyes supposed to be blue? Or is it a mixed breed? This one seems very different. Where did you get it from?" 

Honey fidgeted with his fingers nervously, shrugging at her every question. Silently pondering if he should tell her the reality it's not a puppy but an Arctic fox. 

"Honey!" she called. "I asked you something. Where did you get it from?"

"So you are introducing Cleopatra to your mum, huh?" 

"Dad!" It was a sigh of relief and the one that saved his a.s.s. He waved his hand at Xiu Mei and Jianyu standing behind Wang Shi. "Thank god you are here. Ducky was asking about you."

"Really?" Wang Shi's brows rose in suspicion. Anything that comes out of Honey's mouth can't be trusted. He watched in silence, looking forward to more entertainment as Jianyu helped him to the table beside Suyin.

Xiu Mei and Jianyu settled opposite Wang Shi and Suyin, leaving the two chairs at the opposite heads empty.

Suyin paused brushing its fur. "When? No wait--what did you just call it?"

"Kelio-pitra." Honey strolled to Suyin and took the 'puppy' from her. "That's her name."

Suyin stared long and hard between Honey and the fluff ball. "That's a joke, right?"

"That's a name. Kelio-pitra." 

"Pfft." she tipped back her head and roared with laughter. Honey looked with puffed cheeks. 

"Kelio-pitra," she repeated, breaking into laughter again, wondering if the very name was comical or the way Honey pronounced Cleopatra. Too cute! Her eyes teared, stomach hurt, but she couldn't control her laughter. It's been a while since she had laughed to heart.

Honey pouted at Wang Shi in complain, "She's making fun of me."

Wang Shi, "Look again. You've done something magical." Her laughter was the soundtrack, and he wants to melt in its melody. Her laughter was free and pure, like a child's. Gosh, how much he was missing it. Funny how her laughter can rumble his soul. Wish he could kiss her forehead right now and tell her how beautiful and free she looks. Just stay like this. 

Suyin noticed Wang Shi's gaze on her, lost, mesmerized, amused, and love-struck. She straightens herself, wiped the corner of her eyes. "Ahem, Kelio-pitra, that's a cute--" she suppressed her laughter. "--ahem-- a cute name. Who suggested it? Don't you think it's a little too much for a puppy?"

"PUPPY!" the two other people exclaimed in sync. Their heads snapping at Honey. Wang Shi reacted a little slowly. He was still awed by Suyin.

Honey stepped back, his hold on the baby fox tightened. "Puppy. A cute white puppy. Isn't it? Please..." he pleaded the three with his puppy eyes and sat down on the chair close to Wang Shi. 

"Don't say please, sweetie, I said you can keep it," Suyin said, accepting the teacup as offered by Jianyu, not paying any attention to the seat chosen by Honey.

"You sure going to regret saying that." Wang Shi stifles a smile.

"Jeez, that's just a puppy! Besides, a pet would help Honey recover from PTSD. It will increase his verbal skills and help him gain confidence by having the responsibility for caring for a pet."

"Remember your words. I'll come back to them later." Wang Shi smiled in his teacup, sharing a look with Xiu Mei and Jianyu, both smiling too. 

Honey kicked at Wang Shi's foot. Leaning forward, he pitched his voice low. "What are you doing? Don't forget, you still need me to appease her. We are partners in crime. No backstabbing."

"Fine. But remember, if she comes to know, which she will, I'm out of your mess. Anyway, I'm looking forward to her reaction." After a knock and Jianyu's call to 'enter', servants brought in breakfast and set it on the table.

It appeared as if they were not informed of the number of people. The meal was enough for twenty. 

"Who else are joining?" Suyin looked at the large plate of chocolate cake, dripping with hot sauce and fresh cherries. She cleared other dishes off from her way and reached to pull it towards her.

Xiu Mei reached for the same cake. "X. But he'll be a little late. Work calls--" her eyes met with Suyin's.

None looked at their partners, getting a sense they were being watched with an obvious smile. 

"Though I don't like sharing my dessert, with you, I will. Just this once." Xiu Mei slides the plate to Suyin.

"How alike we are." Suyin served a slice first to Xiu Mei and then to herself.

"Alike in many things-- independent, brave, intelligent, unconditional love, and we got the most loving partners in the world" Xiu Mei winked at Wang Shi, taking a bite of cake.

Suyin licked the sauce first. "I won't comment on the last one. But to me, we are alike because we both reached for the thing we like without any hesitation. If we want something, we want. As simple as that."

"That holds true for you, Mei." Wang Shi joined the conversation. "Your story is the perfect example. Remember, you didn't hesitate a bit before reaching to destroy Jianyu's company and him?"