A few hours later.....

{It's done}

The message from Jian almost makes Xianmao smile.

{And how is Jia?}

....{She's still calling her}

Her fingers tap the screen.....{Keep me posted if she makes any action}

{I will}

She doesn't even thank him for accomplishing the task. She gets under the covers of her bed with her unsheathed cane sword in hand. A routine she carried since she became the Triad boss.

Her eyelids close with peace that things are going her way. Every important thing has been set neatly to launch Jia into her predestined role.

-----

The ends of the red and black hanfu flow with each step of the Triad boss. Her hair arranged in a raised bun to reflect her elegant age. Yuxan opens the door of the Lazy Panda for his employer.

The new hostess with hair tied up in the ox hairs style bows her head and compliments her outfit.

"Thank you, Ai."

She twiddles her thumbs. "My-My....name is Ming."

Her cane stops in place. Her hard eyes freeze the young victim in her spot. "What happened to Ai?"

Ming's fear doesn't allow her feet to shuffle. "W-Wo bu zhidao. Duibuqi. Wo shi xin lai de." (I-I don't know. Forgive me. I'm new)

Xianmao sighs. "Oh well. I will be in my office. Don't bother me unless it's important."

"Y-Yes, madame."

As soon as her boss leaves her sight, Ming slowly exhales through her nose. The door opens, forcing her to transition back into her role.

"Hello, welcome to Lazy Panda. How many today?"

Meanwhile, Xianmao sits at her desk to update the employee payroll. After finding out that Ai's last missed shift was weeks ago during her brief hiatus, she checks the camera footage to find any reason why she had left.

Leaving my restaurant without a good reason is equivalent to death, Ai.

A pattern forms in her mind. Every other week, the entrance door would briefly open. Ai would get someone to take over and be back in less than an hour. However, her usually tidy hair would have some hairs out of place. A wider smile on her face.

The crafty Triad boss figures it out. She found love and left me for him.

She sends some men to "check" Ai's address.......

The stuffing of the couch cushions litters the floor. Drawers pulled out for any clue of where she could be. Nothing to be found. Her clothes and belongings were nowhere in sight. Not even a framed photo to suggest a place in mind.

They leave the apartment as is and report back to her. Her cane trembles from the anger. Who does she think she is?!

She tells her men to leave the office right away. She unsheathes her cane sword. Raising it up, she lays a few cuts into the back of her desk. The numerous marks of wrath on the table enjoy its new allies.

She regulates her breathing to maintain a form of control-

Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.

She picks up her landline phone that works within the restaurant. The red lighting highlights it's coming from the hostess stand.

"What is it, Ming?"

"You-You have guests that want to speak with you."

"I'm busy."

"It's Orchidea, El Segador, and some company."

Rage refills her heart, but she settles it down. "Did she say what for?"

"N-Not yet."

"I will be right down."

---

"Mmmm, this is so good. I also love the service," Bianca tells Miguel.

He offers another shrimp ball to feed her. "Enjoy, mi amor."

Diego smiles from the genuine love they have for each other. He deserves that and more.

Luis adores the manner that his boss deserved.

Miguel's dark chocolate eyes traveled up and down her dress more times than he can count. The sleeveless ankle-length burgundy dress that added to her masterpiece of a body. She smirks from his wandering eyes and turns slightly with her back to him.

The indoor lighting dances off the rhinestone chains of her backless dress. He stops a long exhale from leaving his mouth.

His fingers walk over and interlock with her ring hand. A wedding band on his ring finger finally joins her adornment.

"Signora Orchidea, you wished to speak with me?"

Their hands haven't left each other. Diego sits up with a hand on his concealed revolver in his jacket. Luis does the same.

The Triad boss notices the rings and laughs to herself.

Bianca leans forward with a smile. "Oh, you like my new ring? It's so beautiful that I want to keep it as a wedding ring."

"Congratulations," Xianmao smiles with venom.

"I've been so blessed lately. Gee, I wonder.......what's going on in your love life? Maybe--"

"Is this all that you have to say to me? I'm a busy woman."

"Oh, I enjoyed my meeting with Jia. She's a bright girl who will quickly learn the ropes."

A polite smile graces Xianmao's face. "Thank you. I taught her well."

"Indeed, you have. And I must say that the food here is splendid. I can't wait to sample the whole menu when I take over."

Her thin eyebrows rise up.

Bianca's freezing emeralds take control. "Madame Xianmao, I must thank you. Helping Richie behind my back lit up the hellfire I have in store for you. By the terms of the Board contract, I challenge you to a duel."

The Panda laughs but stops. Bianca Petali wasn't joking. She knew what that would entail.

A wide smile of a guei (demon) adorns her face. She no longer had to hold herself back. "I would be so happy when you're gone, whore. You are a blemish on your husband's business."

Miguel shifts towards her. "Shuōhuà dāngxīn diǎn (Watch your mouth). You won't have long after I win."

His dark eyes of an abyss almost swallow her whole. The tap of her cane brings her back to reality.

"A thin line lies between confidence and arrogance, Harvester. You can't escape your past."

Instead of his breath hitching, she's surprised by the smile on his face.

"Because of Bianca, I found peace that won't be unsettled by your pathetic insults."

A laugh escapes her mouth. "Bold words for a dead man. Oh, forgive me, Mr. Sanchez for not greeting you."

"Word spreads quickly," Diego smiles.

"I have my ways. How are your parents by the way?"

"They are great. They look better than you at your old age," he shoots back while twirling the end of his moustache.

"And that's not saying much," Luis twists the words like a knife.

She scoffs. "Be a good dog for your master and be silent."

Orchidea takes a sip of champagne. "Ah, it must feel good for you to be honest for once." She pulls out a sheet of paper detailing the rules with her representative already written. Seamus' signature as the host is at the top. The pen taps the space for the Triad boss to fill in.

One glance makes the demon smile even wider. So, I can be free of El Segador and her at the same time? Lovely.

She writes down the name of her duelist slowly for Bianca and Miguel to notice.

Eyun (Doom).

She places the pen down. "Yuxan, bring him over."

Her large bodyguard swallows the lump in his throat before leaving for the kitchen.

The table keeps their eyes on the kitchen doors to see who Miguel will be facing.

"He's someone I just brought over from Beijing in case you pulled this card. Great chef as well," the Panda continues.

The doors swing open.

A lean man in his 30s with long, wavy black hair on the front with a faded style on the sides walks out. Miguel's eyes analyze his every step. Pride with a hint of arrogance. However, it wasn't unearned. There's no life in his brown eyes.

Eyun stops right in front of Miguel's chair and bows to him. "El Segador, I heard of your talents. It will be a pleasure of mine to end your legacy."

Diego's bushy eyebrows narrow from the insinuation.

Bianca's body trembles. Not only out of anger, but also fear.

Miguel taps her hand before standing up. His 5'10 stature matches the other. "And I haven't heard of yours. What are you known for?"

"The last resort for Lady Xianmao," while rolling up the white sleeve of his right arm. Two tally marks on his forearm. "Her victorious duelist."

"Hmm. Besides your boss, anyone else to fight for?"

Eyun's thin eyebrows rise. "I only fight for my boss."

"Ah. You are dedicated. But so am I. I have everything to lose if I fail."

The dark abyss in his eyes match to Eyun's lifeless expression. Neither one submitting to the other. A tarp of tension surrounds the others.

Miguel smirks while slowly taking out his wallet. Leaving a $100 tip on the table. "It will be a great honor to end your life to protect my wife."

His words give his lover some needed strength. "Two days from today at noon. Sounds good?"

"Perfect. The whore and her lover will be reunited in death," Xianmao responds before walking away. Eyun eyes his competitor one more time before leaving with Yuxan.

After Bianca pays for the meal, she and her group leave. As soon as they entered her limo, she latches onto Miguel.

He holds her trembling body close. "We just need to make sure that the plan works."

Luis nods at him. "I will contact Marco to help."

"And I will come along too," Diego adds.

"Home, signora?"

She turns to him with a slow exhale. "No. Head for City Hall. I want to marry the love of my life."

Miguel pecks her forehead in response.

"But no honeymoon until it's over. I want you to be ready for that day," she continues.

"As you wish."

-----

Per NY regulations, they would have to wait 24 hours for a marriage ceremony to receive the marriage license. For Bianca Petali, that isn't an option. With the tap of her fingers, one of her connected judges waives away that requirement.

Luis walks his boss to hand her over to Miguel Dominguez. Diego smiles on as his impromptu best man.

Bianca and Miguel hold hands while the clerk speaks. Love and hope swirl in each other's eyes.

".....Do you, Miguel Dominguez, take Bianca Petali as your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

"And Bianca Petali, do you-"

"I do."

"By the power invested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you as husband and wife. You may kiss the-"

Bianca pulls Miguel in for a tender kiss that they hold for several minutes. Luis and Diego quietly clap for their happiness.

The clerk leaves and returns with their certificate. "Miguel Dominguez-Petali and Bianca Petali" for their martial names.

He scoops her up into his arms, bridal style, and carries her out. A wide smile on her face while waving away the doubt in her mind.

If we die, at least it will be together. If we live, Isabella, I hope you will accept him in time. Me as well.