Chapter 3 - The Interrogation of Cousin Marcus
By mid-afternoon, the backyard of the Chen estate was a chaotic tapestry of white folding chairs, strings of yellow market lights, and the heavy smell of roasting pork.
Nadia had been swept away by Lily to help with the final alterations on the wedding dress, leaving Daniel alone in the lion's den of the Chen extended family.
She stood near the upstairs window, looking down at the lawn with her heart in her throat.
Daniel was sitting at a wooden picnic table under the shade of a massive oak tree. He was surrounded by Auntie Su, Cousin Marcus, and Uncle Bobby. In front of him sat a massive plate of Auntie Su’s legendary fried pork dumplings and a tall glass of sweet tea.
"He's very handsome," Lily murmured from behind her, her mouth full of straight pins as she adjusted her hem. "And he looks at you like you're the only person in the room, Nadia. I was so worried you were making him up."
"I don't make things up, Lily," Nadia said, her eyes fixed on Marcus, who was leaning forward on the picnic table, pointing a greasy finger at Daniel.
Down on the lawn, Marcus was indeed putting Daniel through the ringer.
"So, Daniel," Marcus said, his voice loud enough to carry over the sound of the country music playing from the porch speakers. "Nadia says you met through a contractor. A cousin of ours. Billy?"
"Actually, it was Kevin," Daniel said, his voice perfectly calm as he took a sip of the sweet tea. "He did some restoration work on the brick facade of my townhouse downtown. Nadia recommended him because she knew I was looking for someone who respected old masonry. He did a fantastic job."
Marcus narrowed his eyes. "Kevin’s been in Atlanta for a year."
"Yes, he moved shortly after the project," Daniel replied smoothly, without a single beat of hesitation. "He told me he wanted to expand his business. I actually wrote him a recommendation letter for a commercial client down there."
Marcus bit his lip, clearly annoyed that his first trap had failed. He leaned in closer. "You're a wealthy man, Mr. Holt. Nadia's just... well, she's our Nadia. She's quiet. She doesn't run in your circles."
"That's exactly why I love her, Marcus," Daniel said.
The word love landed on the wooden table like a heavy gold coin.
Auntie Su let out a loud, delighted gasp, shoving another plate of dumplings toward Daniel's elbow. "Eat, eat! You're too thin! A big man like you needs real food, not those tiny city salads!"
"Thank you, Auntie Su," Daniel said, offering her a smile that made the older woman blush redder than her apron. He looked back at Marcus, his eyes turning cold and sharp—the look he used when a competitor tried to lowball him in a negotiation. "And as for circles, Marcus... I've spent my life surrounded by people who want something from me. Nadia is the only person who has ever looked at me and simply seen a man who needed his coffee black. There is no price tag on that kind of peace."
Marcus opened his mouth to argue, but Uncle Bobby clapped him hard on the shoulder. "Leave the man alone, Marcus! He's eating! Daniel, you want to see the tractor? Ed rebuilt the carburetor himself."
"I'd love to," Daniel said, standing up and brushing a speck of dust from his jeans.
May you like
From the window above, Nadia let her forehead rest against the cool glass.
He's doing it, she thought. He’s becoming the person I asked him to be. But who is he doing it for?
