CHAPTER 23: SERENE GARDENS

When she placed her hands on him and held his waist tight, Jason wanted to just let go of his cool and scream his lungs out, he was just praying for God to just freeze time right here. he had dreamt of seeing her again for five years and now he didn't just see her again, he became her boyfriend in just a few hours, now has her photos in his phone and now she was sitting right behind him and holding on to his waist. She was really a can of unopened surprises and he knew that he couldn't wait to dive in. This day really could not get better than this.

Daisy was no better behind him, when she held his waist earlier, she was just testing the waters, and when he didn't say a word, she knew that taking charge in making him hers was the best decision she had ever made. She tightened her hold on him and rested her head on his back, she just wanted to take in this bliss before something comes up to spoil her little happiness cocoon she had just made. For now, she just wanted to nestle herself in there with him and not think of when the other shoe was going to drop.

By this time, it was usually rush hour in the city as most people were getting off work, there was traffic and most people were feeling frustrated as usual, but two people were seen on a powerful motorcycle just cruising in the streets of the bustling city. They were just xooming past like the wind. The streets was filled with a lot of angry, and frustrated people who were in awe of the two figures just streaking through at the fastest speed and leaving only smoke and sound behind. Most were impressed by this gutsy couple who were just driving through the traffic like it had nothing to do with them.

Naturally, for Jason, this was a rare moment as it had already been a long time since he last rode on a motorcycle. To say he was thrilled was to not accurately measure how he was feeling, he felt totally unhinged and he'll be damned to not make the most out of this day, since the opportunity had already presented itself and fallen on his laps, he was going to utilise them to their fullest. He rode at the top speed, Consequences be damned.

For Ru Lan, this was her normal life, she loved lining on the edge and she loves the thrill she gets from doing things that people normally wouldn't do. She could feel the joy Jason was feeling, as they say, sometimes, happiness can be infectious and she totally felt his.

Soon they arrived at the outskirts of the city, the entire area looked uninhabited, he was wondering what could be hiding out here, so he turned to look at Ru Lan as he slowed down.

She opened her helmet and spoke to him, keep going, we're almost there. Don't be scared, I'll protect you. She said with a small laugh.

Hmph! Who's scared? And that should be my line. Said Jason.

Yes! Yes! You are the protector of the realm, how could this lonely servant see mount tai and not recognize it. I bow to you master. please do not smite me with your mighty sword made out of self indulgence. She made a gesture of bowing her head to him and she curtsied.

You do have a way with words and you know how to repent from your wrongs, so I'll just let it go. Jason said just laughed.

We are here. Ru Lan said, and waited for Jason to stop the bike.

They both removed their helmet when the got down from the bike and Jason was utterly blown away. The view was too much, even for him that has seen his own fair share of beautiful places. If the blueveiw cafe that Ru lan took him to earlier today was so blue and dreamlike, then this place was utterly otherworldly, if even him said that. It was simply breathtaking and looking like a manmade forest out of a movie, and that is exactly what it was. There was so much greenery and colour.

Welcome to Serene Gardens. Ru Lan said to the still awestruck Jason, she just loved that look on his face and was itching to take a picture again but she just held herself back.

When they walked closer, he saw that the walls were covered with so many rare types of beautiful flowers that he was sure could not grow in this part of the world. There were hybrids that he didn't even know their names.

Serene Gardens is basically a relaxation centre, flower garden and restaurant. Not many people in country N know about it. Only the selected few can have their meals here which of course are served with exorbitant prices. They have their menu here, they don't follow the normal flow of restaurants and they don't have private rooms. They make food according to a person's mood, and the chef's make it a habit to name their foods themselves, i don't even remember the names of the foods i have had here. Many foreign dignitaries come to N Nation just to have a meal here, yet most people here don't know about its existence. It's my second favourite place in the world. I supervised its creation and brought my hyper-imaginative mind into reality in this place so it's a little overwhelming. Ru Lan said.

You know so much about this place, and it was built based on your imagination? Don't tell me.... he opened his eyes in awe as realization hit him.

Bullseye... you guessed right. It was a gift from my birth father to commemorate the year we found each other. She said.

Wow! I didn't know a minister from our nation could earn so much, maybe i should judt leave business and go into politics. He said jokingly.

She jabbed him with her elbow and said, not the minister silly. I said my birth father.

The minister is not your birth father? Jason asked

Nope, i have had 3 fathers so far in life, 2 are gone, including my birth father. Minister Ru is the only father alive now. She said with a bit of sadness.

I'm sorry! Jason said to her when he realized that her mood had fallen. He didn't ask her the question he wanted to ask her about her birth father anymore, he decided to change the topic.

It's okay! No need to be sorry. It's a story for another day, don't worry I'll fill you in sometime.

Sure he said and patted her head.

So if this is your second favourite place in the world, i can't wait to see your first, must be surreal, he said.

Of course it is. She said. How can my favourite place in the world be any less? It's actually close to this place. I'll take you there but first we need to go have dinner. Let's go.

When they got to the entrance, they were scanned before entering the building and a robotic female voice greeted them.

Welcome Miss Kelton, we've missed you here. It said.

Cut it out Serene, you just sold me out. When this robot was created, Daisy had begged her brother and father to allow her install it in Serene Gardens. When her pleas were finally accepted, she brought it here and named it Serene.

Miss Kelton, Jason said with raised eyebrows. You really are wrapped up in mysteries miss Ru, and i can't wait to start unwrapping.

All in due time Mr Li, All in due time said Ru Lan.

Their conversation was cut short again by the robotic voice when it said,

Welcome to Serene Gardens Mr Jaesun Li, this is your recorded first visit, we hope you will find an opportunity to visit us again, and we definitely hope you will have a memorable first visit. It said to Jason.

Wow, you really have outdone yourself in this place Daisy, it's no wonder people don't know about this place. With so many security measures, it feels like i'm entering the NNIB (N Nation Investigative Bureau). This security system is so top-notch that it makes me feel like i'm not here to eat, but trying to get into a government building. Jason said.

Well! What can i say? It takes a lot to bring my imagination out into existence. This place is special to me, so not anyone can come in here. she said with a smug look that said keep praising me.

Jason was just looking around. They went through five different security measure including ones that use fingerprints scans, facial recognition scan, full body scan and DNA identification that involved a small prick. Jason would never let himself be violated to such an extent and allow any system to keep his information like this, but he had to endure because this was Daisy's place. He didn't just come here for the food or the view, and no matter how beautiful this place here, the impression it left on him was lasting and Daisy wanted him to be here, so leaving his information on her database, was a small price to pay to keep the girl he had been dreaming about for the past five years.

Daisy was very happy that she now had almost all of Jason's information in her database, and she was even happier knowing that he had willingly let his privacy be invaded for her.

So where is all this information stored? He asked her.

A very private place, and i'm the only one that has access. You can only access it with my permission so don't worry about your information. Its safe and no hacker on earth can hack into this database. She said to him in a low voice.

Jason finally let himself relax, he was already thinking of a way to remove his information from the system, but he was assured by her words because he doesn't know why but, he trusts her.

When they finally went in, the beautiful natural scent of the environment assaulted Jason's nose. They were so many flowers in the hall like restaurant that also looked like an open forest.

There were tables arranged in the hall in such a way that even though there were no private rooms, every one still had privacy. The whole place was just screaming nature and its calming effects were unmatched, it was simply too beautiful. He realized that having an imagination that your wealth can match was truly a scary thing.