As a sheep follows its shepherd, Xiao Ping follows steps of a woman, who introduced herself as the hotel manager, entering elevator without a word. Xiao Ping doesn't know what to ask. While the woman, though very friendly, doesn't seem want to tell her anything. Beside she is also busy to calm her heart. Stupid.. this is not the first time, Xiao Ping says inwardly.
The elevator moves upward. The display above its door shows number by number gradually. Now it's already 31. Xiao Ping is wondering which floor they will stop. Right when her mind saying the question, the elevator door is opened. 39th floor.
"Please," the woman beside her let her to come out first. After the elevator door is closed, once again Xiao Ping follows her to a door. The woman rings the door bell. Soon after the doors is slightly opened. Hiroshi Hayashi's round face appears in the gap and greets her joyfully, "Shiawase-chan, please come." Hiroshi opens the door wider, let Xiao Ping enters the penthouse.
Xiao Ping steps her foot on the thick carpet in the penthouse very slowly, as if she wants to reassure her self that what's in front of her is not a dream. Even though she has never seen a penthouse from any hotel before, but she is sure what she's seeing is not the standard decoration of a penthouse. The carpet under her feet is sprinkled with hundreds or even thousand of pink rose petals, stretches a path to living room. Along the path's sides there are dozens of fresh flowers in pots. Almost all kind of flowers can be found there. Flowers also the main decoration of the room's walls and furnitures.
Xiao Ping's slow steps finally brings her to the living room that also full with flowers. And there he is.. standing handsomely, wearing a formal black tie suit and a breathtaking smile, making her boyfriend looks like a charming prince.
"Is it similar to your dream ?" Takeshi asks after he walks to greet her, still wearing his smile that makes Xiao Ping lovelorn. Now they are only a reach away. Xiao Ping wants to answer, but she is too dumbstruck to be able to make a sentence in English. Finally, she can only nod. Just like that and a tear drops from her eye. This is exactly like her dream, she and Takeshi in the flower garden. Except of course now she is not dress as a princess. Xiao Ping glances at her appearance, shyly. She only wears t-shirt and jeans.
"You are always as beautiful as I've ever imagined, My Princess," Takeshi gently says. He says it even more sincere with his eyes that don't move an inch from Xiao Ping's eyes. Takeshi reaches Xiao Ping's waist and pulls her body until leaving no gap with his body. The two pairs of eyes stare each other, hypnotizing one to another with love and longing. When Takeshi closer his face toward her, Xiao Ping closes her eyes, getting ready to accept Takeshi's kiss.
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Hiroshi closes the 3902 room's door with a satisfied grin on his face. His feet then take him to walk across the aisle to elevator. He doesn't want to disturb the lovelorn couple.
Hiroshi enters the elevator that already opened when he arrived. While waiting the elevator brings him to the hotel bar floor, Hiroshi leans on the elevator wall. Love is crazy. Crazy! That is the same word he scolded when Takeshi told him his crazy plan two days ago. Takeshi does likes to be spontaneous some times, but he has never this reckless. Reckless because it is actually a high risk to be caught, with his fans and - worse- company. Hiroshi warned him about it, but Takeshi eventually has made a very thoughtful plan. That is why Hiroshi couldn't disagree. Even though he grumbled at length once he knew how much the cost was needed to be spent by Takeshi for this three hours event. Yes, only three hours.
Takeshi had checked on internet and found a flight from New Zealand to Japan that had 6 hours transit toTaiwan. They arrived to Taiwan with that flight. Hiroshi called his best friend that is owner of a 5-stars hotel at Taiwan and asked, beg to be exact, to help them arranged and more over kept a secret of Takeshi's arrival. His best friend finally agreed to help, of course with a quite fee. Takeshi and Hiroshi arrived at Taiwan on 3 in the afternoon. They were lucky because from the airport through the hotel, no one had acknowledged Takeshi that disguised him self as an old man, white beard and circle shades all along. When they arrived at the hotel the penthouse had been fully decorated by the hotel. But Takeshi wasn't satisfied. He requested more dozens of flowers pots, though in Hiroshi's opinion the flowers in the room could already be compared with Hiroshima flower garden.
Well, love is crazy. Once again Hiroshi sighs. Even the stingy Takeshi is becoming generous. He even ordered a candle light dinner service and bought a designer gown special for Xiao Ping. All is for the sake of love.
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"You.. you are amazing," Takeshi flatters without hiding an amazed sight in his eyes, staring at Xiao Ping that just came out from the bathroom. She is now wearing a chiffon silk pink dress that is bought by Takeshi from online catalog of a famous Taiwanese designer. Can''t stand the worship stare given by Takeshi, Xiao Ping shyly bows her head, looking her beautiful dress. It is a strapless dress with layers of flowing fabrics at the hip below. When she walks the dress will flow.
"Come, my love, let's have dinner first," Takeshi invites her while shifting one of two chairs flank between a table. the table is decorated with a beautiful white tablecloth with candles and flowers as centerpieces. Xiao Ping approaches him and sits on the chair. Takeshi pushes her chair closer to the table before sits on his own chair. After sits, Takeshi taps a fork to the crystal wine glass. At once the light in the room dims and a romantic music is played. Takeshi taps the wine glass for the second time, a waiter comes with a tray of appetizer. With it they start the dinner. Five dishes come and go after the appetizer, including the delicious triple chocolate cake as dessert. During dinner Xiao Ping's face keeps on blushing since Takeshi stares at her continually with no intention to hide his admiration.
When they finished their dessert and gulped the grape juice down, Takeshi asks Xiao Ping to dance. At the beginning she is very nervous. She has barely ever danced. But with his calming stare and smile, Takeshi makes sure to her that it is not a problem. He guides Xiao Ping to put her right hand on his left, while placing her right hand to his shoulder, supporting her lower arm high with his right upper arm. "Just match my steps," Takeshi whispers to her softy. He then steps his left foot to the left and followed by his right foot, then steps his right foot to the right and followed by his left foot. "See.. easy," he whispers again. Xiao Ping nods shyly, making him chuckles in amusement. Takeshi then makes a step again, this time followed by Xiao Ping's foot. Hence, they dance with the music rhythm. Sooner or after their dance slowly changes. No longer move, they both only stand still while look at each other so intimately. Takeshi's hands have moved to Xiao Ping's waist while the girl's hands already around his neck. Takeshi bends his body down a little bit to match her height, then touches Xiao Ping's lips with his. He pushes his lips deeper as Xiao Ping's open her lips while she arcs her body in order to get closer to his body.
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A black sedan stops in front of Xiao Ping's home alley. In Takeshi's embrace, Xiao Ping looks reluctantly at the alley illuminated by street light, even a bit grumbling inwardly thinking that the driver should drove less fast.
Xiao Ping turns her head to the left, finding the similar expression as hers on Takeshi's face. "I have to go," she says goodbye faintly. "I'm sorry I can't stay any longer," Takeshi regretfully says while stroking her hair. "Don't be. You did more than enough," Xiao Ping disproves then gives him a gentle smile. Without being told, she can figure how much sacrifice Takeshi has done. And she doesn't want him to get into trouble for her.
"Thank you for this unforgettable night," That's not what she really wants to say, but that's what she can think of. Takeshi gestures a small nod. He still wants to be with Xiao Ping. Even so, he lets Xiao Ping inches away from his embrace. But when Xiao Ping is about to get out of the car, Takeshi pulls her back into his arms then gives her a gentle kiss. A long one.