The Rise of the White Lotus

Since Ethan Lu focused his attention on Lillian Yang, his mind that was filled with Lexi-so-provoking-and-so-beautiful was successfully put down. After a quick contemplation, the thought of leaving Lillian Yang to eat her lunch alone, he felt sad for his own future son-in-law reasoning. 

He knew that she was rooting for their date, however, it wouldn't hurt for the both of them if they accompany her for another hour right? Hence, he suggested that their first stop for their date was to eat lunch with Lillian Yang. Nothing new, but, it was still touching for mother yang.

"No Ethan, it's fine… This day was supposed--" Moved, Lillian Yang smiled gently. However, just as she was about to reject his suggestion, Lexi halted her by placing her hand on hers.

"Mom, I agree with him. I also wanted to eat before going out." For some reason, Lexi felt moved that he was considering her parents and willing to sacrifice another hour of spending time with her alone.

"Plus 10 points for Mr. Main task~!" On the other hand, Churu slowly clapped her hands as she declared openly.

"You kids…" Darting her gaze from her daughter to Ethan Lu's grinning face, Lillian Yang faintly sighed as she slightly shook her head.

The meal ended as peaceful as always. Of course, the one that was very moved by this simple gesture was Lillian Yang as she got her daughter and future son-in-law's company.

****

[Yang Mansion's driveway]

Lexi and Ethan Lu stared at each other as they examined their outfits. Lexi had a surprised expression with her brows arched while Ethan Lu was grinning from ear to ear.

"Is this destiny?" He teased.

Currently, Lexi's army green, lapel collar trench coat that was over her short black dress almost looked the same as his. She matched it with over the knee black boots and a black handbag. Since she was unsure about his plans for the day, Lexi chose to look casual and elegant at the same time—so she could blend in with wherever place he'd bring her.

On the other hand, Ethan Lu was wearing a navy blue pullover that lay over his dress shirt and only revealed his collar and tie. He had a gray scarf clung across his nape and the ends rest on his front. His white sneakers and army green coat induced his personality. 

Overall, their outfits coordinate with each other.

"Matching outfi--" Churu was about to dawdle her humor but before she could continue, Lexi hissed.

'Shut up, you forever third wheel.'

"Hmph! Baaad Lexi, bad!!" Dismayed, Churu sticks her tongue out and flew towards the car's back seat. Well, it was their date after all and Churu already decided to go sightseeing while the two enjoy each other on their first official date; lessening her presence as she said.

"Tell me, you didn't ask… uh, nevermind, let's go." Lexi arched her brows and speculated that Ethan Lu asked her mom about her outfit but recalling that she just decided on what to wear earlier, she stopped and threw her irrelevant question to the back of her mind.

"Wait, let me open the door for you," Skipping his steps, Ethan smoothly opened the passenger seat for her like a gentleman with a smile on his lips.

Slightly raising her fleek brows, Lexi said, "thanks…" before she entered his car. 

She watched Ethan jogged over the other side and from her point of view, Ethan's aura was bright but at the same time, there's something in him that she often noticed but until now, she could not explain what it is.

When he entered and settled in the driver's seat, Ethan Lu glanced at her inexpressive front down to the seatbelt. Seeing that she did buckle up this time, he smiled before he inquired.

"Ready for our date?"

"Hmm," Biting her lower lip, Lexi hummed with a slight nod that made Ethan Lu smiled even more. He started his car engine and before he could start driving, he laid his hand opened near her side.

"What?" Arching her brows as she moved her gaze to him, she saw him briefly raised his brows as his eyes smiled.

"Let's hold hands." Without a second hesitation, he requested while his fingers slightly waved as if waiting for her to fill the gaps in between his fingers. Seeing that she wasn't moving, he persuaded;

"Love, let's play --" However, before he could finish his sentence, Lexi slid her hands onto his. This treat obviously startled him as he didn't expect her to agree without giving her a good reason.

"No problem," She said before a smirk formed on the side of her lips. 

He looked at her as she smiled on him while her curled hair was put on the other side. Just this view made his heart go crazy as his eyes were deceiving him! 

'Why does she looked as if she was flirting back? Ugghh! I need my eyes checked!' Unbeknownst to Lexi, her date's mind was momentarily in haywire as his heart raced by her sudden 'coquettish' eyes.

He blinked and blinked several times but her expression was still there! Her flirtatious smirked that was tempting him and whenever her lashes slowly fluttered, he just wanted to watch her looking at him like this!

"Hmm? Something wrong?" Slightly tilting her head on the side, Lexi's tone wasn't as dry like she normally sounded but it was rather… playful; as if she knew his sudden dilemma.

'Uh… is this what they call seduction?' His mind snapped as this thought hovered on his mind yet, the question was stuck on his throat and was gulped down when he swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

"No, it was nothing, hehe" Instead of speaking his mind, Ethan Lu found an excused as he closed his fingers while their hands were intertwined.

"Sure, its nothing…" Shrugging, Lexi whispered her humor but she made it audible enough for him to hear.

'I'm busted! I'm busted!' He panicked inwardly. Fortunately, his riotous feelings caused by her sudden change didn't take much effect on the surface… or at least to others but not to her.

"Let's start our date, love~!" After clearing his throat, Ethan Lu announced as he started to drive away from the yang mansion.

*****

Hours passed by and still, they haven't arrived at whatever 'romantic' place he kept bragging about throughout their journey.

"Where are you taking me? Don't tell me you're actually kidnapping me on a pretense of a date?" Arching her brows, Lexi didn't mind when they went out of the city as it was normal; at least for her as she liked places that were established outside the city.

However, it's been three hours since they left the yang mansion yet, Lexi was left with zero clues on where he was taking her. 

Meanwhile, Ethan Lu would let go of her hand from time to time and would immediately go back to her as if it was an automatic program. Hearing her suspicious inquiry, he chuckled and teased.

"Hehe, well, we're eloping." Fortunately, Lexi didn't attack her with whatever magic she got on her sleeves hence, he could finally relax a little.

"Really now?" Rolling her eyes, Lexi attempted to pull her hand away from him but his grip gently tightened.

"Kidding, love. Well, you'll see-- we're almost there." He winked at her before a mischievous smile formed on the side of his lips.

"Fine," Sighing in defeat, Lexi didn't probe further as she knew it was hopeless. Also, she decided to use her naughtiness when he wasn't driving -- afraid that his fragile heart couldn't handle it.

***

Just like he said, soon, perhaps 30 minutes after, Lexi and Ethan finally arrived at the shore near a small town.

The autumn wind harshly blew past her yet, the uninhabited, cleaned area matched with the unpolluted air made her relaxed for a bit.

Despite the good area he chose, however, Lexi was puzzled as there wasn't a satisfactory place nor there's a restaurant near the area. If one thing that this place lacks was that, it wasn't known for tourists—even to her who grew up in a big city and abroad!

"So, this is where we..." Slowly nodding and scanning the area for some secret shop that was probably just around the corner, Lexi's gaze stopped as she spotted a yacht approaching.

"Yup, there is our romantic destination." Seeing that his yacht was slowly approaching the shore, Ethan Lu turned to face her as he took off his scarf and tenderly wrapped it around her neck. He added without thinking of the words that would come out from his mouth.

"You're so gorgeous… stop seducing me, else I won't keep my mind sane."