Alexia's POV

My guilt for going on that date with Colin is basically how I ended up on a plane for a thirteen hour flight, the sky now a striking reddish purple with the setting sun.

Eyelids heavy, I jolted back awake every few seconds, before slowly dozing off again.

I was just about to enter the world of sleep when I felt a light touch on my shoulder.

"Hmm?" I hummed, struggling to blink my eyes awake. I vaguely noticed Lee looking at me with adoration.

"I'll wake you when we're there," he murmured quietly as to not disturb the already-sleeping passengers around us.

I nodded my head, slowly, sleepily. Then I yawned. "Okay, thanks."

I felt my body being pulled towards him, and so I cuddled up against his side as much as the armrest between us would allow. I clung to him as a little girl would cling to a teddy bear, and it wasn't long until my eyes fully closed and my breathing became slow and steady.

***

"Hey, Lexi, wake up. We're here."

A voice was calling to me, and a gentle hand shook my shoulder.

"Huh? What?" I cried, momentarily panicking due to the fact I had forgotten where I was. Then everything came back to me, and I stretched as I realized people were getting of the plane. Taking a glance out the window, I saw workers bustling about in their little vehicles as they transported things like luggage to and fro.

"We should probably get off and get to our hotel." My head turned to see Lee, and the first thing I noticed were the bags under his eyes.

"Did you sleep at all during the flight?" I asked, completely ignoring his previous sentence. He looked absolutely drained, skin seemingly paler than usual, and his gaunt figure giving away his exhaustion.

He gave me a slight smile, but shook his head. "I'm fine. I didn't get any sleep, I had work to do." He gestured to the laptop in his hand, and I just stared at the silver finish.

"Lee.." I started, my voice disapproving. "That really isn't healthy. What time is it? Didn't you say you had a meeting in the afternoon today too?" Judging by my glimpse out the window, I noticed that the sun was slightly above the horizon, and I could only assume that it was a couple hours after sunrise.

"It's just after 8am," Lee said as he moved to grab our things from the baggage compartment above the seats. "And the meeting is supposed to be at one this afternoon. I'll have plenty of time to sleep once we get to the hotel room. Of course, I just need to finish a few things up for this meeting first."

We walked off the plane and into the terminal, Lee carrying all of our things like the typical gentleman he was despite my attempts to help.

I bit my tongue when I wanted to chastise him on how bad it was to skip out on sleep. I knew he was busy and stressed out enough already.

"Zhang, Lee Zhang!" My head whipped around when I heard Lee's name being called. A man was holding up a sign, written in what I could only assume was Japanese with the English version written under it. It said Lee Zhang.

"Koko ni!" Lee called to him, walking briskly over there even though he was weighed down by our things.

The man was dressed in a suit and a shiny black cap. He bowed once, and Lee bowed back. "Kon'nichiwa Zhang-san. I am your driver, you go to Imperial Hotel Tokyo?" the man asked, using a mix of Japanese and broken English.

"Hai," Lee replied, and the driver nodded. Based on what little I knew of the Japanese language, I knew that Lee had told him yes.

The driver turned and motioned for us to follow. We did, and he led us to a limousine. He grabbed the bags from Lee's hands before opening the door for us.

We climbed in, and I gazed around in wonder. I had never been in a limo before, and the black leather seats went well with the grey interior. Paired with a small space for drinks, I was in awe.

"You okay there, Lexi? You're looking around as if you haven't been in a limousine before," Lee commented, taking in my astonished expression.

I shook my head. "That's because I haven't," I stated in a simple manner. "It's so.. spacious."

Lee laughed lightly at my wonderment, but the fatigue still weighed heavily even in his laughter.

"I'm surprised, I haven't taken you anywhere in a limo before?"

I thought of all the times Lee had taken me out for dates, informal or impromptu. "I don't think so; you usually take one of your father's cars when we go out."

He nodded in understanding. "I'll have to take you out sometime then, and we can go there in a limo. Bowling maybe." His eyes sparkled when he said that, and my heart sped up for a second at the mention of bowling. I loved bowling.

"That'd be cool," I told him, before thinking about it for a bit. "But wouldn't it be weird to show up to a bowling alley in a limo?" The more I pondered it, the worst it sounded. A bowling alley is such an ordinary place, a place where family and friends go to hang out and chill. A limo typically shows something more sophisticated and fancy. The two just didn't seem to go together in my mind, it was just.. off.

"Exactly," Lee said with a wink, leaving me confused.

Then everything fell into place. It was the attention he wanted. I had no idea why he did, so I just gave him a smile before turning my head to look out the window.

The streets of Tokyo rushed by, people milling about, going in and out of various stores along the sides. The skyscrapers towered above us, casting long shadows along the busy roads. Large lit up advertisements were scattered among every building, and although I couldn't read Japanese, it was interesting to look at the pictures that accompanied them. Eventually a hotel came into view, large Japanese characters written on the building, an English translation underneath it.

It was the Imperial Hotel.

Pulling up to the entrance, the limo driver hurried to open our door for us. He bowed when we exited, and Lee said, "Arigato," as he stepped out.

"Arigato," I repeated as I also got out, and the driver smiled at me. I heard the door close just as an official looking person with a gold name tag came out.

"Zhang-san?" he asked, and Lee nodded.

"Hai," Lee replied with a charming grin.

"I'm the manager of this hotel, Yamato Fujimoto. We have booked the top suite for you Zhang-san," the man said, his English perfect.

"Kon'nichiwa Fujimoto-san and arigato. This is my fiancé Alexia Chong," Lee introduced, and Mr. Fujimoto bowed. I copied him.

"Kon'nichiwa Chong-san. Pleasure to meet you."

"Arigato," I said, unsure what else to say. "Nice to meet you too," I rushed to add. I was thoroughly embarrassed at my lack of knowledge on Japanese culture and traditions, so I had no idea what to say or how to act.

"My employees will take your bags, and I will show you to your room." Turning promptly, he walked into the hotel, and the first thing I noticed was the grand staircase, a large bush-like plant on a gold pedestal type thing. A large chandelier hung above said plant, lights looking almost like crystals illuminated in the sun.

The lobby was bathed in gold, everything from the floor to the ceiling a ranging from pale yellow to a deep gold finish, a marble trim on the floors and columns. The staircase, however, was a burgundy color.

"Right this way," the manager said, steering us up the stairs and leading us down a long hallway. At the end of the hallway, there was an elevator, one that the manager had to swipe a keycard in. "This is the elevator that leads up to the main suite, you can only use this elevator if you have this keycard," he explained before handing Lee a copy of it. The elevator opened to reveal another hallway, a single white door the only thing in it. "And here is your room," Mr. Fujimoto told us as he swiped a different card in. Opening the door, he gestured for us to go in and my jaw dropped as soon as I saw it.

Lee walked in as if it was no big deal, but I was positive that my eyes were bigger than saucers and my mouth was flopping open and closed like a fish.

The room was huge. Bathed in a fluorescent white light, it looked more like a penthouse than a suite. There was a giant flat screen TV, eggshell-colored couches situated in front of it. Then there was a full kitchen, including a table and a counter. I could only assume that the cabinets were already stocked with various dishes and cups. Then I could see a door which led to a backroom, most likely the bedroom.

"Arigato," I heard Lee say before a door slammed. I turned to see that the manager had left, and now Lee held two cards in his hands. Walking over to me, he held them out. "These are for you. The one with the red stripe is for the elevator, and the blue stripe is for the room. I already have mine," Lee clarified and I took them, nodding to show I understood.

"Thanks."

Lee started to nod when a large yawn overtook him, and he stretched. "I should probably," he gave another yawn, "... finish up my work. Then I think I need a nap." Under the lights, Lee looked even more wearied than he did before. He almost looked as if he was about to collapse at any second.

"Yeah, that's probably a smart idea," I voiced my agreement. "Are you sure it isn't anything I can help with? You seem tired enough.." I said hesitantly.

He shook his head with fervor. "No, it's for the business deal my dad wants me to settle. I need to know a few more numbers before I go into the meeting this afternoon. You'd really have to know my dad's company in order to help."

I indicated that I understood with a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure you'll be done in no time."

He didn't even reply, just gave a shrug as he shuffled to where the bellhops had left our stuff next to the couches. He pulled out his laptop, and started typing away, eyes slowly scanning the screen.

I took this as my cue to leave, so I decided to take a bath. I walked over to my luggage, dragging it to the bedroom. I noticed that it was only one king-sized bed, and I nearly blushed thinking about how Lee and I would have to share that bed as if we were already married. I set my luggage down on the floor, unzipping it and fishing out some of my clothes.

Then I opened one of the drawers, looking for some sort of directory. I had read somewhere that Japan hotels typically had these hot baths called onsen where you can bathe and I read that it could be very relaxing. Relaxation is exactly what I needed at this point.

Eventually I figured out the area where it would be, and told Lee where I was going. He showed no other indication that he had heard aside from a curt nod.

Taking the elevator back down, I had to ask an employee to show me, and I thanked her before walking into the changing rooms.

After I had stripped off my clothes, I rinsed off quickly before entering the room. It was a pleasant surprise to see that the room was empty.

Slowly slipping into the hot water, I felt my muscles unfurling and the tension leaving my body. It had been an extremely long flight, and staying in the same position for over half a day had caused my muscles to be stiff.

I sighed in content, watching the steam rise up from the water. Alone with only my thoughts, I gave in to temptation and thought about him.

Colin.

That was my only regret to coming. It was weird, but I almost regret having to miss our tutoring sessions. I wanted to see him. Especially after that date.

Then I remembered; I forgot to tell him I'd be away for a week.

Shrugging, I allowed my body to sink a bit lower into the water.

I'll text him later.

.

.

.

am i falling behind in NaNo already? yup :D argh why does school give out so much homework ._. anyone else feel my pain?

but the week of Japan has started, and don't be afraid to correct me if I get something wrong haha. Especially concerning the culture and language. in all honesty i just typed things into google translate cause i have no idea how to speak Japanese ._. and i can already tell that writing these next few chapters is going to make me want to watch more anime.

and sorry, this chapter was more of a filler .-. not even sure this story is capable of reaching 50k words without a ton of filler haha.