Chapter 223

Constantine led them to a private dining room. A long table was set with white cloth, ebony chopsticks, silver cutlery, and crystal glasses. Serana was already there, sitting at the head of the table. She looked up as they entered. “Hi, Louis. I was wondering when you’d show up.”

Louis smiled. “Hi, sis. I didn’t know you were coming too.”

“I have nothing better to do,” Serana said, looking at the women. “I just arrived ten minutes ago.”

Judith gestured to the table. “Please, sit down, everyone.”

Louis sat between Cherish and Donya. The others settled around the table. A group of waiters entered and began to serve lunch. They started with small bowls of tofu soup and cups of herbal tea.

“We’re having Chinese today?” Louis asked.

“Yes, darling,” Judith said. “I thought a light meal would be nice after your journey.”

Cherish picked up her spoon and took a bite of the tofu. “This is good. What’s in it?”

“Tofu, bamboo shoots, chicken, and mushrooms,” Judith said. “Simple and delicious.”

“I like it.”

Gladice laughed. “Only the Collins family would call this a light meal.” She ate a large spoonful. “Not bad, actually.”

Maeve looked at her bowl. “Tell me they have steaks next.”

“Don’t worry, Mae-Mae,” Angelique said. “This is just the appetizer.”

“Good,” Maeve said, finishing her tofu.

Serana looked at Louis. “So, I heard you killed Brother John with a tungsten rod from space. That’s very dramatic.”

Louis shrugged. “He had it coming. No one messes with a Collins.”

“Especially not with my son,” Constantine said, smiling. “I’m proud of you, Louis. You’ve become a leader.”

“I’m just trying to protect my family, Dad,” Louis said.

“And that’s what a leader does,” Constantine said. “He protects his own.”

The waiters cleared the bowls and brought in the next course. It was a plate of stir-fried prawns.

“Shrimp,” Gladice said.

Louis laughed. The other women did too. Constantine looked at them, confused.

“It’s an inside joke,” Angelique said, taking a prawn.

“Ah, I see,” Constantine said. “Remind me to ask you about it later. I love a good story.”

Louis looked at Serana after eating a prawn. “How’s home?”

“Fine,” Serana said, sipping her tea. “Vicky keeps asking about you. I told her you were busy saving the world.”

“More like fucking around.” Louis shrugged.

“So, what’s your plan now?”

“Maybe we’ll go to Canada? We have someone to find there.”

“Let me come with you. I speak French. And I need some practice.”

“No,” Constantine said firmly. “You’re staying in the Dominion. You can have your adventure when you are older.”

Serana pouted. “I’m not a little girl anymore, Dad. I can take care of myself.”

“I know you can,” Constantine said. “But this is not a vacation. Louis is hunting for a dangerous criminal. And he needs to be focused.”

“I can help,” Serana said. “I’m smart and sneaky.”

“Maybe next time, sis.” Louis tried to keep his face straight.

Serana sighed. “Alright. I hate being a minor. We should lower the age of majority to thirteen.”

Judith laughed. “I think the Central Union might have something to say about that.”

“They are a bunch of boring old men,” Serana said, rolling her eyes. “They don’t understand the youth of today.”

“Nobody understands the youth of today, sis,” Louis said, taking another prawn. “Not even the youth themselves.”

Donya looked at Serana. “You are very mature for your age, Serana. I’m sure you will do great things when you are older.”

Serana smiled at her. “Thank you. You are nice. Unlike my brother.”

Louis chuckled. “I’m nice too. In my own way.” He looked at Constantine. “How’s your work, Dad?”

Constantine ate a prawn. “Busy. As usual. I’m going to send a delegation to Salt Lake City to finalize the agreement with the Prophet King and to find a nice location for our embassy, thanks to you.”

“Happy to help.”

“I’m glad you are,” Constantine said. “You’ve done well, son. Utah has been a blind spot for us for a long time. And now we have a foothold there. It will be very useful in the future.”

“What about the Bishop?” Willa asked. “Any news from Quebec?”

“Not yet,” Constantine said. “The Canadians are not very cooperative, and they have Brussels backing them up. But we’re working on it.”

The waiters cleared the plates. Several chefs with carts arrived and prepared Peking duck tableside. They expertly carved the crispy skin and the tender meat and served them with thin pancakes, scallions, cucumber, and hoisin sauce.

“I love this part,” Gladice said, her eyes following the chefs. “It’s like a show.”

“It is,” Judith said. “A delicious one.”

Cherish looked at the duck with curiosity. “How do I eat it?”

Louis nodded to the nearest chef. The man nodded and prepared a pancake for her. He placed the skin, meat, and vegetables on it, rolled it up, and handed it to her.

“Here you go, ma’am,” he said.

“Thank you,” Cherish said, taking the pancake. She took a bite. “Oh, this is amazing.”

“I’m glad you like it, Cherry,” Louis said, preparing a pancake for himself. “It’s one of my favorites.”

“I can see why,” Cherish said after another bite.

Willa looked at Constantine. “The Dominion is more Asian now than American. I remember reading an article about it in New England Globe.”

“We are a Pacific nation, Willa,” Constantine said, dipping a piece of duck skin in the sugar. “And we embrace our diversity. Food is a big part of that.”

“I’m not complaining,” Willa said. “I’m just making an observation.”

“I’m glad we have so much good food now,” Maeve said, eating her third pancake. “In Beckley, we ate a lot of potatoes and beans. And sometimes, rats.”

Angelique paused. “Rats?”

“Yep,” Maeve said, chewing. “Not bad. If you cook them right.”

Cherish looked pale. “You ate rats?”

“It’s not the end of the world,” Maeve said. “You eat what you have.”

“I’m glad I didn’t have to eat rats,” Cherish said.

“Me too,” Donya said. “But I’m glad you can eat steaks now, Mae-Mae. You deserve it.”

“I’m looking forward to the next course,” Maeve said. “I hope it’s good.”

Constantine nodded to the head chef. “Bring out the beef.”

The chefs cleared the plates and brought in a large platter of sizzling wagyu beef slices. Sesame seeds and green onions were scattered on top. The aroma filled the room.

“Yes,” Maeve said, her eyes wide. “Now we’re talking. A proper meal.”

The head chef bowed. “Sir, ladies, this is A5-grade wagyu from Kobe. We are honored to serve you today.”

“Thank you,” Angelique said, taking a slice. “It smells wonderful.”

Louis took a slice and put it in his mouth. It melted on his tongue, rich and savory. “Delicious.”

Gladice took a large piece. “Better than the last one we had on the jet.”

“This one is cooked differently, Glads,” Angelique said. “More Chinese style.”

Cherish nodded. “It’s so tender. Our beef at home was tougher. We had to simmer it for a long time to make it soft.”

“This one is different, Cherry,” Donya said. “It’s from a special kind of cow. And it’s very expensive.”

“What cow?” Cherish asked.

“A Japanese cow,” Donya said. “They feed them beer and give them massages.”

Cherish’s eyes widened. “Beer? Massages? For a cow?”

“Yes,” Donya said, smiling.

“Wow,” Cherish said, taking another bite. “That’s a happy cow. I’m glad it’s happy before it died.”

Gladice laughed. “I’m glad you’re happy after it died, Cherry.”

Cherish blushed. “You know what I mean.”

“I know, Cherry,” Gladice said, grinning. “You are a pure soul.”

Maeve finished all the slices on her plate. “I want another one.”

The chef bowed and served her another large portion. “It’s our pleasure, ma’am.”

Maeve ate it quickly. “We should serve this in our restaurant in Idaho Falls.”

“Speaking of which,” Serana said. “I heard your Horse Bite Grill has become the hottest new spot in Idaho. And very politically sensitive too. The local students are using it as their new gathering place.”

Maeve mumbled with her mouth full. “Good for them.”

“Is it profitable?” Constantine asked.

“No,” Willa said. “Louis decided to pay every employee one hundred Union dollars per hour. And he banned tips.”

Constantine laughed. “Good for you, son. You’re a true capitalist. And a socialist too.”

“I’m a Collins,” Louis said, cutting another piece of steak. “We do what we want.”

“Well said.” Constantine grinned. “I raised you well.”

“How can someone be both capitalist and socialist? That’s a contradiction.” Willa raised an eyebrow.

“The contradiction is in your head, Willa. Not in reality. You have a lot to unlearn from your Boston education,” Constantine said, taking a sip of tea. “The Dominion doesn’t care about the old world theories. We only care about results. And we get them by any means necessary.”

“The ends justify the means, then,” Willa said, her tone flat.

“Always,” Constantine said, looking at her. “It’s the only way to build a new world and to keep it from falling apart.”

Willa sighed. “I suppose.”

Maeve finished her steak and looked at the chef. “What’s for dessert?”

The chef smiled. “Ma’am, we have a selection of exquisite desserts. I recommend the almond tofu. It’s light, refreshing, and a perfect end to the meal.”

Maeve looked at Louis. “I want chocolate cake.”

“Bring her the chocolate cake,” Louis said to the chef. “And the almond tofu for the rest of us.”

“Yes, sir,” the chef said.

A few minutes later, the waiters returned with the desserts. Maeve’s chocolate cake was a large slice, with three layers of dark chocolate, covered in ganache. She ate it with gusto. The others got small bowls of almond tofu, with fresh berries and mint leaves.

“It’s very delicate,” Cherish said, taking a spoonful. “I like it.”

“Me too,” Donya said. “It’s a nice balance to the steak.”

Gladice rolled her eyes. “It’s just a pudding. Let’s not get too poetic about it.”

“Enjoy your pudding then, Glads,” Angelique said.

“Oh, I will,” Gladice said, taking a large spoonful of Maeve’s cake when she was not looking. Maeve glared at her. Gladice winked. “Sharing is caring.”

Maeve stole a piece from Angelique’s bowl. “I agree.” Angelique sighed and let her have it.

Judith watched them, a fond smile on her face. “You are all so lively. I love it. I think we should do this more often. Family lunches with good food and good company.”

Constantine nodded. “So would I. It’s good to see you all happy and safe.”

Savannah looked at her empty bowl. “I wish my family could be here too. And have a meal like this.”

Constantine looked at her. “Soon, Savannah. We will get them here. I promise.”

“I know,” Savannah said. “I just worry. I can’t help it.”

Louis thought for a moment. “Let’s pick a house for them when we get back to LA. A nice one with a garden. And a good school for Micah.”

Savannah looked at him. “Really?”

“Of course,” Louis said. “They’re your family. That makes them my family too.”

Savannah blinked back tears. “Thank you, Louis.”

“It’s my pleasure, Savvy,” Louis said. He looked at Cherish. “And we’ll support your family until this war is over. Even after. Whatever they need. We will provide it.”

“Thank you, Louis,” Cherish said, taking his hand. “You are a good man.”

“I try, Cherry,” Louis said, kissing her hand. “Now, let’s finish our lunch. We are going to Silicon Valley after this.”

“Don’t forget the parade in two weeks,” Judith said, smiling. “I’m very excited about it.”

“Let’s discuss it after we visit Mr. Cruise, Mom.”

“Alright, darling. But don’t keep me waiting for too long.”

“I won’t.”

The chefs cleared the table and brought in pots of oolong tea. They poured it into small cups and served them.

“I have to get back to my office,” Constantine said, standing up. “I am going to coordinate with Robin on the extraction. I will let you know as soon as I have any news.”

“Thank you, Constantine,” Savannah said.

“Of course, my dear,” Constantine said, nodding to them. “I will see you all.” He left the room.

Judith stood up too. “And I’m going to meet Venessa and discuss your genius ideas for the distraction. We are going to make a lot of people very angry.”

“Have fun, Mom,” Louis said.

“Oh, I will,” Judith said, kissing him on the cheek. “Be good to Mr. Cruise. For now.” She left the room.

Louis looked at Serana. “What about you, sis? Are you going back to LA?”

Serana shook her head. “No, I have a meeting with my tutor. Then I’m going to the arcade with Jacques.”

Angelique raised an eyebrow. “Jacques is here too?”

“No, I’m going to Portland. He’s going to meet me there,” Serana said.

“Are you two dating? Or just friends?” Angelique asked.

Serana’s face flushed slightly. “Just friends.”

“I’m sure you are,” Angelique said, smiling.

Serana stood up. “I have to go now. See you later, Louis, ladies.” She left.

Louis looked at the women. “Well, I guess it’s just us now.”

“I think we should have a quick nap before we go to Silicon Valley,” Gladice said, stretching. “All this Chinese food makes me sleepy.”

“I agree,” Maeve said. “I need to digest my steak and cake.”

“A nap sounds good,” Cherish said, leaning her head on Louis’s shoulder. “Can I sleep with you, Louis?”

“Of course, Cherry,” Louis said. “Let’s go back to the room.”