firstsonofthor
- Reads 123
- Votes 11
- Parts 28
Meeting Under Lavender Skies
Opening Scene: Samuel Hawthorne-Salazar, son of Olivia Hawthorne and Gabriel Salazar, is introduced as an ambitious young architect determined to step out of his mother's shadow. He's sent to a global charity summit in Florence, Italy, representing the Hawthorne Foundation in designing eco-friendly housing for refugees.
Introduction of Aisha Naomi Carter-Calloway: Aisha, Beom Seok's Japanese-Korean cousin, attends the same summit as a cultural preservation speaker. Passionate about history and remembrance, she believes modern wealth often erases the lessons of the past.
Clash: Samuel and Aisha meet when they are paired on a project. Their first interaction is a heated debate-Samuel pushes for innovation, Aisha insists on respecting heritage. Sparks fly, but not the romantic kind (yet).
Veronica Sterling's Role: Veronica Sterling, now semi-retired, oversees the summit. She subtly nudges the two to work together, seeing something they don't yet.
Bridges of the Past
Cultural Conflict: While working together, Samuel and Aisha discover their families' histories are intertwined through WWII-Aisha is the descendant of Aiko Tanaka (Book 4), the Japanese nurse who loved Jimmy Calloway. This makes Aisha deeply wary of the Hawthorne-Salazar wealth, believing it represents privilege built on others' sacrifices.
Romantic Tension: Despite differences, they begin to respect each other's perspectives. Aisha takes Samuel to war memorials in Kyoto, showing him her world of remembrance. Samuel shares his architectural visions, showing her how he wants to build a legacy of healing, not just luxury.
Family Guidance: Cameos from Anahi & Beom Seok remind them that love isn't perfect-it's persistence. Meanwhile, Mondo and Taj bring comic chaos, giving "stoner love advice" that surprisingly resonates.
Turning Point: During a lavender-sky rooftop dinner in Florence, Samuel and Aisha share a vulnerable moment