Chapter 128: Tonight
"Seriously, Mei-san? You couldn’t have picked a place that didn’t require three layers of thermal underwear just to walk to the front door?" A breath of white cloud left Mia’s lips as she sighed and got out of the black, luxury SUV.
Right away, she moved under Akira’s arm, pushing her cold body against his side for warmth.
"Oh, stop complaining, Mia! Look at the view!" Rina shouted, already halfway to the trunk to grab her bags.
She was wearing a tiny skirt and a pair of pop socks, even in the snow, as if her legs were immune to the frost. "This place looks like it’s straight out of a romance movie. Tell her, Akira! Isn’t this better than staying in the apartment?"
Akira looked up at the massive, timber-framed lodge, sitting perched on the edge of a cliff.
"It’s definitely... isolated," Akira noted, his enhanced perception already scanning the perimeter. There were no other lights for miles.
"That’s the point, darling," Mei purred, stepping out of the driver’s seat and smoothing down her tight cashmere coat.
She walked over to Akira, ignoring Mia’s glare, and adjusted his scarf with a lingering touch. "No neighbours, no interruptions, and most importantly... none of those monster things. Just us, a very well-stocked cellar, and a fireplace big enough to roast a deer."
"I... I’ve never been to a resort like this," Aoi whispered, standing by the car door, looking at the grand entrance with wide eyes. "Is it really okay for us to be here?"
"Don’t worry, Aoi-chan," Mei replied with a wink. "The landlord has everything under control. Now, let’s get inside before we turn into icicles."
Mia tightened her grip on Akira’s arm possessively. "You heard her. Let’s go, Akira-kun. I call dibs on sitting next to you by the fire."
"Actually," Rina interrupted, slinging her duffel bag over her shoulder with athletic ease, "I’m pretty sure I already called dibs during the car ride. You were too busy complaining about the heater."
"That’s because someone kept hogging all the warm air!" Mia shot back.
"Girls, girls," Mei laughed, her heels crunching in the snow as she led the way to the entrance. "There’s plenty of Akira to go around this weekend. Trust me, I made sure of it."
Akira felt his face heat despite the cold. The way Mei said that, with that knowing smile...
The front door led into a stunning great room with a cathedral ceiling. A huge stone fireplace held a roaring fire, making shadows move across the fancy leather chairs and thick fur rugs. Tall windows showed a wide view of the snowy woods and far-off mountains.
"Holy shit," Rina breathed, dropping her bag. "Mei-san, how much did this cost?"
"Don’t worry about it," Mei said breezily, already shrugging off her coat to reveal a form-fitting crimson sweater dress that hugged every curve. "Consider it my Christmas gift to all of you. Now, champagne is chilling in the kitchen, the hot spring is just through that hallway, and the bedrooms are upstairs."
"Bedrooms, plural?" Aoi asked hopefully.
"Five bedrooms," Mei confirmed, then added with a sly smile, "though I’ve already claimed the master suite. It has the best view and the largest bed. King-sized, if anyone’s curious."
Mia’s eyes narrowed. "Of course you did."
"First come, first served, darling. You know the rules... plus I’m paying, so..."
Akira set down his bags near the entrance, taking in the surroundings. "Mei-san, this is incredible, but..."
"No buts, Akira-kun," Mei interrupted, walking over to place a finger on his lips. "You’ve been working so hard lately. Fighting those... things, dealing with school drama. You deserve to relax. We all do."
"She’s right," Aoi said quietly, still standing near the door like she was afraid to touch anything. "This is really generous, Mei-san. Thank you."
"You’re welcome, sweetheart. Now go explore! The kitchen is stocked with enough food for a week, there’s a game room downstairs with a pool table, and like I said, that hot spring..." Mei’s eyes glittered. "It’s clothing optional."
Rina barked out a laugh. "I like the way you think. Come on, Aoi, let’s go check out the rooms before Mia tries to claim them all for herself."
"I heard that!" Mia called after them, but she was already busy pulling Akira toward the fireplace. "Akira, sit with me. You promised."
"I never..."
"You promised with your eyes," Mia insisted, practically shoving him onto the plush leather couch before draping herself across his lap. "See? Isn’t this better than standing around?"
Akira sighed, but couldn’t help smiling. Her body was warm against his, and the way she curled into him felt natural despite everything. "You’re impossible, you know that?"
"Impossibly perfect for you," Mia corrected, nuzzling into his neck. "Don’t think I don’t know what Mei-san is planning with that ’king-sized bed’ comment. She’s trying to stake her claim."
"Mia..."
"I’m serious! She’s been giving you those looks ever since... you know." Mia’s voice dropped to a whisper. "When you two almost..."
"That was weeks ago," Akira said quietly, very aware that Mei was still in the room, moving around the kitchen area.
"Still counts," Mia muttered. "Just so we’re clear, I’m not sharing a bed with her."
"No one said you had to."
"Good. Because if anyone’s sleeping in that master suite with you, it’s going to be me."
Before Akira could respond, Mei’s voice called out from the kitchen. "I can hear you plotting, Mia-chan! Don’t waste your energy. I’m a very generous host... when I want to be."
Mia tensed in Akira’s arms, but before she could fire back, a sharp beeping sound cut through the room. All three of them turned to look at the large flat-screen TV mounted above the fireplace. It had flickered on automatically, showing a weather alert.
SEVERE WEATHER WARNING: BLIZZARD CONDITIONS EXPECTED. ALL ROADS CLOSED. ESTIMATED DURATION: 48-72 HOURS
"Well," Mei said, appearing in the doorway with a bottle of champagne and several glasses. "Looks like we’re officially snowed in. How convenient."
Akira’s eyes narrowed slightly. "You knew about this, didn’t you?"
"I may have checked the forecast before booking," Mei admitted with a shameless grin. "But can you really blame me? No escape route means no distractions. Just us, trapped together in a cosy mountain lodge with nothing to do but... keep each other warm."
"That’s insane," Mia said, but she didn’t sound upset. In fact, she looked intrigued.
"That’s romantic," Mei corrected, pouring champagne into the glasses. "Now, since we’re going to be here for a while, I propose we start our Christmas celebrations early. Gift exchange, drinking games, hot spring adventures... the works."
Rina and Aoi came bounding down the stairs at that moment, both changed into more comfortable clothes. Rina was wearing yoga pants and a crop top that showed off her toned abs, while Aoi had opted for an oversized sweater that hung off one shoulder.
"Did someone say gift exchange?" Rina asked excitedly. "I brought stuff!"
"So did I," Aoi added shyly. "Though mine are probably not as exciting..."
"All gifts are exciting when they’re given with the right... intentions," Mei said, passing out the champagne glasses. "But first, a toast. To Christmas, to new experiences, and to the five of us spending quality time together without any interruptions."
They all raised their glasses. Akira noticed the champagne had an unusual shimmer, almost as if something extra had been mixed in.
"What’s in this?" he asked suspiciously.
"Just a little holiday magic," Mei said innocently. "Special eggnog flavouring. Trust me, it’ll help everyone... relax."
Mia sniffed her glass cautiously. "Is this spiked?"
"Of course it’s spiked, darling. It’s Christmas." Mei clinked her glass against Akira’s. "Now drink up. The real fun is about to begin."
Akira met Mei’s eyes over the rim of his glass, seeing the challenge there. Whatever she’d planned for this weekend, it was going to be interesting.
He took a sip. The champagne was sweet and warming, with an aftertaste that made his head feel pleasantly light almost immediately.
"Wow," Rina said after her first gulp. "That’s strong."
"Told you." Mei settled into the armchair across from the couch, crossing her legs elegantly. "Now then, shall we start with the gift exchange? Or would everyone prefer to get more... comfortable first?"
"Gift exchange!" Aoi said quickly, her cheeks already flushed from the alcohol.
"Yeah, let’s do presents," Rina agreed, plopping down on the rug by the fire. "I want to see what everyone brought."
Mia reluctantly disentangled herself from Akira’s lap. "Fine. But I’m still sitting next to him."
"Noted," Mei said with amusement. "Akira-kun, you’re the guest of honour. You get to open the first gift. And remember..." Her eyes glittered dangerously. "In this house, every gift comes with a little... command attached."
Akira felt a chill run down his spine that had nothing to do with the weather outside. "Command attached? What does that mean?"
"You’ll see," Mei said mysteriously. "But first, I have something for all of you. Consider it a little... dress code for tonight’s festivities."