Page 23 of Blossoms of the Heart
From that day onwards I became careful. Careful and cautious.
More like a robot when it came to emotions.
I turned and looked at my side profile. I loved how I looked, was proud of my physique.
I had that athletic build I always strived for and kept up my appearance despite the inner turmoil.
The butterfly on my scar was a symbol of change. I got the tattoo to remind me that just because I’d changed I could still be beautiful.
Butterflies changed from being caterpillars into these beautiful, colorful creatures that could make the heart melt.
I wanted to remind myself that I could do that too. That could be me.
It was the theory anyway, so when I looked at it I would be inspired and uplifted.
Mostly, it didn’t work because I was shit scared of being with anyone new and anyone I’d been with since Jason had been temporary. Temporary as in goodbye after the first date, or let’s just have fun for a few weeks and call it.
Not that I’d been with a lot of guys since him, or that I was rushed to get involved in a serious relationship. But, that was my ethos.
Either avoidance or just simply not taking the guy serious.
I just didn’t want to have that conversation with anyone I cared about.
I opened the wardrobe and chose a black bodycon dress with specks of black diamonds dashed over it, a gift from Dad. It was a Dior original. One of his just-because gifts.
I might love playing the girl version of Indiana Jones, but my father still spoiled me and treated me every chance he got.
Mitsuke said she would be wearing white tonight.
I may have managed to talk her out of shopping earlier, but she came back with a vengeance when she picked me up from work and insisted on us going out later.
She guilt tripped me telling me it had been too long since I’d been in Japan and I owed her.
Mostly, I kind of wanted to sleep or rest. I was suffering from a bad case of jetlag and wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed with a magazine. Or maybe catch up on theFashion Police.
However, I would oblige my friend if only for a few hours. Especially since on this trip I’d mainly be staying with Akito. I took turns with who I stayed with when I came to Japan, and it was Mitsuke’s turn to have me. However, staying with Akito was my reminder to myself that I was here for business and not pleasure.
I slipped into my dress, which fit like a glove, and then I loosened my hair.
A little knock sounded at the door.
“It’s open.” I whirled around with a smile as Akito came inside, carrying a tray of goodies. “Oh my God, what is that?” I laughed.
“My own creation, comparable to the welcome tray you’d get at the palace. No one can welcome a loved one better than the Emperor and the imperial family.” Akito beamed.
While I’d never met the Emperor and his family, or gone inside the palace I didn’t doubt the comparison. I could just imagine the sort of welcoming Akito referred to and it touched my heart.
On the tray were an assortment of Japanese pastries and treats.
Chocolate and strawberry wagashi dorayaki lay around the tray in a circle. They were my favorite. The pancake dessert with its thick spongey sweetness and sweet filling made my mouth water just from looking at them.
In the middle of those Akito had arranged a few slices of different cakes. Chocolate and strawberry cheese cakes, and blueberry mochi cake.
Dashed in between those were some little panda shaped chocolate cookies I used to adore.
Akito was what I called a perpetual dad. He was always in dad mode and I always knew what to expect from him. I’d missed his cultured accent with that spark of energy and magic.
His brown eyes twinkled.
