42 Paradise IX

She was still curled up in her seat, but the blanket had partially slid off of her as she sat, drowsily rubbing her eyes with a hand.

"Go back to sleep love, it has been a long journey." Jian scooped her up into his arms with the blanket, smiling tenderly at her soft form.

"No I dont wanna." Chang pouted and mumbled before falling back asleep. Jian chuckled hearing her tiny petulant voice and pressed his lips to her smooth forehead before carrying her out.

--

Chang felt warm rays of sunshine tickling her face as she woke up dazed and confused. Instantly she had to put a hand to her face as a strong beam of sunlight blinded her. She adjusted herself and eventually opened them again to take in ther surroundings.

She was sitting in a bright room, alone on a large bed that was near a large white walls that had been cut into revealing a detailed design of flowers and lilies, the light shone through the design lighting up an expansive room. Overhead there was a large chandelier in the shape of a globe she presumed was made of crystal, the whole expanse of the ceiling tiled in varying shades of turquoise, dying the white walls with hints of blue. The room was massive but mostly featured empty space beside the bed and a few larger potted plants that looked like lacy palms. Chang got up to explore her surrounding and find a room to relieve herself.

She soon found the bathroom to her right, an equally expansive room with another door inside. After relieving herself she opened the door to find a large bathing room with a large spa tub bigger than her bed back home. She was absolutely shocked by the opulence. The room was tiled on all four sides even across the doorway, so that when it closed, it would seems as if you were in a tropical forest. There were very high walls inside the room, close to the ceiling the walls were cut through with geometric patterns that let the light in.

The smell of jasmine and orange blossoms hit Chang with the breeze as she stepped out into the warm sunshine. It was a fairly substantial courtyard garden surrounded by walls on all sides. Lining the walls were large trees some of which were blooming large scarlet plumes brightening the dark green border. A myriad of other plants filled in the space between the trees and a tan gravel walking path which surrounded a pool. The only ones she recognized were some roses closest to the edge, blooming in several shades of peach, red, and purple. A long rectangular pool was about ten feet in front of her, placed as a center piece around 20 feet long and 5 feet wide. Here and there water lilies were blooming along the surface in shades of pinks and yellows. In the center a pump pushed the water up into a small fountain shaped like lily pads, created a soft burbling, lapping sound as it cascaded, from pad to pad, and back to the water. Chang had her breath taken by the stunning sight and found herself drawing near to the water. As she leaned closer she realized there were gold fish in the water. She kneeled down and couldn't resist putting her fingers to the water, which was fairly warm to the touch. Chang giggled as the fish came to nibble on the edge of her fingertips, looking for a snack. As she was sitting by the waters edge she noticed a silhouette on the water's edge near her that she had not seen before.

Chang was shocked and drew back to see a large older man dressed in a white robe and pants with a gold trim on the edges. He had his hands clasped firmly behind his back as he looked down his large hooked nose at her. His expression was firm and his black eyes unreadable. He had a white turban wrapped which cast a shadow on his eyes further hooding them.

Chang was shocked momentarily, then remembered her manners and introduced herself respectively as her mother had taught her when she was younger. She stood and straightened her spine before clasping her hands together at her thighs and gave a slight bow as she introduced herself.

As she lowered she felt a hand come to her shoulder and straighten her back up. Chang was confused and looked at the older man, who stared back at her. Chang grew very uncomfortable at this, 'What do I do? Who is this guy?'

"Um excuse me, my name is Chang Dumont, do you know where I might find my husband Jian?" Chang was slightly embarrassed saying the word husband but she didnt know what to do, she didnt know this place.