A Time for Love

Day 8

It's morning when we arrive. The grey mist settles onto the hills - making the trees appear as dark, evergreen silhouettes. 

I had fallen asleep on Edward's shoulder. Realizing this, I jerk upright. I should not be getting acquainted with him so fast, or he'll lose all his respect for me. 

I feel all too happy to be Edward's fake girlfriend. I know how it is to have all your siblings and cousins married and with children; how concerned aunts and uncles try to plug you into a church in hopes you'll find someone as well. 

His home is a striking grey mansion. Lights inside illuminate through the house to the grounds outside like a giant lightning bug. 

A bell rings when we open the door, following by a butler trudging quickly down the stairs at the sound of our arrival.

"Who is it?" asks a lady's voice.

"It's young Edward your ladyship" answers the butler. 

A blonde woman appears over the banister, donned with big curls and wearing a kimono covered with birds. 

"Well..." she sighs, red lips curving into a smile. "If it isn't my son. We thought you were dead." 

Edward grimaces.

"And he brings a girl home!" she exclaims, giving me an inspection. Just as quickly, she loses interest. "It's about time. Edward never talks to women. His social skills are akin to a 12 year old.

Edward looks away as his mom descends the stairs, unabashed of the lacy bra and underwear that begin to show themselves to a complete stranger. 

"I'm Elizabeth" she says, shaking my hand.

"Cecile."

"John dear" calls Elizabeth to the butler, "Please take Edward and Cecile to their rooms."

...

We hear a choir of hellos and hugs. 

I dress myself quickly. 

A female voice whines, "My, I'm starving!" and a deep masculine voice answers, "Lunch is nearly ready." I can hear Edward too as he descends the stairs to greet them.

The mystery man had his arm around a black-haired girl. I couldn't see their faces, as their backs were turned as I got closer. 

The older man finally turns. He is 6ft, tall, red-haired, with a beard, and a large belly. 

He smiles at me and pats Edward's back. 

"Who is this?"

"Cecile. I rescued her from Dunkirk. She's a German-American that got separated from her family while trying to pull them to America."  

"Are you dating this girl?"

"I hope to" answers Edward, eyeing me. 

I feel another pair of eyes on me, realizing it's the woman's. I turn to shake another hand first. It's his brother Ernest's. Ernest looks a lot similar to Edward, though he looks a lot more relaxed. He isn't wearing a formal tuxedo - rather he's in a nice shirt, white pants, and slacks. He has the impression of being a man that has been on vacation for a long time. 

There was a very obvious shift between Edward and Ernest that bothered Edward more than anything. Ernest seems to avoid his gaze. 

The woman's appearance startles me more than anything. I gasp, covering my mouth, and standing back. 

"You look familiar" I say. 

In spite of the woman's short and curly hair, her makeup, and dress - she looks like the spitting image of Amber Lu.

"Li Chen" she replies.

...

"Ernest met Li when he was on assignment in China" says Mrs. Elizabeth. 

Li holds Ernest's hand. 

"They were already sensing a Communist influence spreading there. Ernest knew I was from a wealthy family, and he helped them escape to Taiwan."

"Ernest was married too before" says Elizabeth. "To that crazy girl."

"Yes. Sadie loved to drink. Thank god she left before the kids started to wonder why" says Ernest. 

"His daughter Louise is an accomplished pianist" says Li. "Andrew is about 12 and follows her around everywhere."

"Sounds like you know them well now" I say. "That must mean a lot to them."

"Yes" says Ernest. "Li is really good with the kids and has a calm disposition. It's been good for them to have her around."

"Are you guys ever thinking of having your own one day?" asks the boys' father. 

Li and Ernest just smile at each other.