Page 137 of Whispers of Wisteria

“Oh my God,” she said excitedly. She began to smooth her hair. “I’m so ready for this. It’s been ages.”

“Don’t kill Albert,” I warned.

She pouted.

“He thinks he can take me,” I answered her unspoken question. “He’s mine.”

It was a matter of pride.

“Whatever. You know, Bianca and I were just talking about this,” she told me. “She understands me.”

“Does she now?” I looked at the sky.

“Plus, she’s a bit scary herself,” Maria continued.

I scoffed.

“No, really,” she insisted. “She low-key threatened me. I was so proud.”

That, I could understand. I’d been attacked by her before. Twice.

Those were some memorable experiences.

“You’re going to have to keep an eye on her,” she warned.

I stopped walking entirely. “What?”

What did she know that I didn’t?

“What are you two up to?” I asked.

So Bianca was starting her long-term plans earlier than I’d expected. And she’d recruited Maria.

Of course.

What could it be this time? I suppose it would be too much to hope that she’d choose something mild and traditional, like calligraphy or floral arranging.

No, Mu always did something crazy in every lifetime. With Maria involved, it was sure to be nothing less.

“Nothing to worry about,” Maria said, turning to face me. “I can handle it.”

I frowned. What was she supposed to handle? It should not require ‘handling.’

I didn’t like this already.

“I’m just saying, in other matters.” She shrugged. “Watch out for her, or else she’ll blink those big green eyes and you’re both done for. Her cuteness is your greatest weakness.”

“Her eyes are hazel.”

She gave me a look.

“Well, they are!” I snapped.

Suddenly, a quiet fell over the night. Maria tensed a second after me as the air began to turn dark.

“It’s happening!” she breathed. She was lightly bouncing on her feet, her hands clenched in tight fists against her thighs.

I sighed. She was going to give us away.