The Rise of the White Lotus

"Oi, Eli spill the beans." When Lexi excused herself to make a call, Rika immediately sat beside Elliot Gong bearing an investigative eye as if one wrong word from him, she'll give him her verdict.

"What beans?!" Glaring at the beautiful Rika's instigating front, Elliot Gong grumbled in disbelief. From his point of view, he was just preventing Gael and others get too close to Lexi— nothing too special. It was not like he was trying to monopolize Lexi all for himself.

"Hah! Elliot Gong, have you seen yourself how you act like an overprotective boyfriend to my bestie? Explain now and make sure it's reasonable or else…" Rika arched her brow as she gestured a slitting throat as a warning, "... you dead."

"Protective boyfriend? Can you be more creative and think I am just protecting a friend or big brother?" Dismayed at her accusations, Elliot Gong shook his head as he fiddled inside his pocket. When he found his phone, Elliot Gong tapped it a few times before showing it to Rika.

Rika narrowed her eyes as she held her head back a little to get a clearer view of the message on Elliot Gong's phone. After slowly blinking twice, Rika finally read the content of the message from Ethan Lu. It says;

[ 58 times… that's how many times you touched my love— excluding the days I am not around. I will send you the official receipt tomorrow including interest. Fret not, you can reduce your debt by preventing some fly trying to land on my beautiful flower... I have eyes everywhere.

PS. I am back to our Lu family just so you know. ]

When Rika was done reading the message, Elliot Gong cleared his throat and retrieve his phone. To him, he would not put much thought into the first half of his message. However, Ethan Lu's last note was his creative way of telling him "I am back to the Lu family and one word from me— say goodbye to your career."

"Realized where I stand now?" Frowning, Elliot Gong heavily sighed as he could not believe he was experiencing such a predicament. Why does Ethan Lu making things hard for him? For f*ck's sake, he was just doing his job! Hence, there's no need for him to stress him over those trivial things. 

"Hay… I wish I have someone like him— cute and lowkey possessive at the same time." Rika who could not relate to Elliot Gong's dilemma murmured in awe. Surely, she did somehow expect that Ethan Lu must have nicely asked a favor to his friend, the reason why Elliot Gong was doing such a thing. Yet, she didn't expect that Ethan Lu would actually have such an efficient way to threaten his friend which was effective.

"Hey, can you at least side with me this time? Didn't you say you're president of some kind of boat? Why am I doing all the work?" Looking at her with a 'protect who' expression while bearing a mocking tone, Elliot Gong scoffed as Rika only did was drag Lexi here and there and didn't actually prevent Gael from approaching them.

"For your information, I have been protecting her from you! Also, aren't you afraid someone will think you two are lovers? I have to divert all that alright?" In a matter of factly tone, Rika rolled her eyes as she slightly turned her head pointing at how close they seemed. Indeed, since she had been in the entertainment industry for a long time, Rika knew that what Elliot Gong was doing could be misunderstood with a short clip or just one photo.

Hence, to save Lexi some slack, even if a rumor about Lexi and Elliot Gong surface, they wouldn't get any hard evidence as she also looked intimate and pretty close with everyone. 

"Huh, that's impossible…" Unconvinced, Elliot Gong shook his head. He was barely persuaded that his chemistry with Lexi was that great— same to her. Moreover, he was friends with Morris Liu and that fact alone was enough to be the excuse that he was just good friends with Lexi.

Just then, Lexi came back wearing a larger blazer suit. "Director, Rika, I have to go first." without going around in circles, Lexi immediately bowed her head with a smile. She was neither hastening her actions nor was she slowing down. But what they are certain was that she was determined to call it a night. Therefore, how could they not understand?

"See? He's already here. Oh f*ck! Where the hell is he?" Seeing that Lexi was wearing a man's suit, Elliot Gong turned vigilant and cautiously looked around.

"Tsk, you look stupid." Rika hissed seeing the fear across Elliot Gong's face. She then stood up and made her way to Lexi's gorgeous front.

"Bestie, is Ethan Lu outside?" As Lexi picked up her purse, Rika went a little closer to her and whispered. Well, by the looks of it, even if Lexi wouldn't respond to her, she already knew her answer.

"Mhmm…" Nodding while humming a tuned, Lexi bowed once again to the very few around the table. She didn't notice Gael's unreadable gaze as she was preoccupied with Rika and her series of questions.

*****

When Lexi was on her way out of the establishment, Rika was still following her. 

"Bestie, listen." Rika mused and halted from her steps.

Lexi stopped as she turned to face Rika behind her. Since Rika came to know that she was going out with Ethan Lu tonight, the talk of their unlabeled relationship resurfaced again which made Rika nagged her like a good ol' mother in law.

"At least, be his official lover to give him assurance— having insecurities in a relationship is bound to doom, I'm telling you." Crossing her arms under her breast, Rika looked at Lexi with resolve as she shared her personal experience. 

"Rika, I told you were good and happy."

"Then what's wrong with having a label? Besides, mutual understanding is the most unclear relationship of all. It's either you'll get hurt or Ethan Lu in the end. Bestie, you are digging this beautiful love a grave, you know that? Didn't you see Gael? What if Mr. Darcy will see his action? Don't you think he'll be cool with it? No! But what can he do since you both are not in a relationship." Rika prattled in one go as she felt frustrated. If this was other people, she would not bother. However, she was really fond of Lexi and how innocent she was in terms of relationships. Moreover, she already heard what happened to her failed engagement with Morris Liu, hence, Rika only wished the best for this tough yet stubborn woman who had gone through a lot.

Lexi chuckled seeing how frustrated Rika at something she shouldn't. For some reason, she was moved to see the sincerity of the woman in front of her. Therefore, without thinking too much, Lexi leaned forward and gave her a warm hug.

"Thank you… Don't worry, I will reconsider." Lexi whispered as she briefly tightened her embrace before she let her go. "Don't drink too much." she reminded. Rika frowned yet she still nodded before Lexi finally left her after a reassuring smile.

"Hayy…" Rika could only let out a heavy sigh as she watched Lexi's back until she left the establishment. "I hope they just get married." She murmured as she pondered deeply on how to be a bridesmaid sooner.