Serpent King's Bride: A Dark Mafia Romance Trilogy

“Focus, Abby,” I whispered, trying to banish the creeping insecurity. “You’ve got this.”

The cozy façade of the Eight Treasures Tea Room appeared almost out of nowhere, nestled between the vibrant storefronts that lined the edge of Chinatown. Its modest sign was easy to miss, the exterior unassuming.

I parked the car, my heartbeat quickening as I stepped out into the chill evening air. The restaurant’s discreet charm sparked a curiosity within me—what sort of place had Evelyn chosen for our meeting? What did its quiet elegance say about the woman herself?

With a deep breath, I pushed open the heavy wooden door and crossed the threshold into a world far removed from the chaotic streets outside. The Eight Treasures Tea Room awaited, ready to unfold its mysteries.

The interior of the tea room enveloped me like a warm embrace. Intricate wooden panels and delicate silk lanterns cast a soft, inviting glow over the space. The mingling aromas of savory dumplings and floral jasmine tea tickled my senses, making my stomach rumble in anticipation.

“Welcome,” a hostess greeted with a practiced smile. She carried herself with an air of grace that seemed oddly familiar, though I couldn’t place her. “Do you have a reservation?”

“Uh, yes, I’m meeting someone here,” I replied, scanning the room. It was odd; there wasn’t a man in sight. Women sat at low tables and smiled and chatted in hushed Mandarin, enjoying their tea–a few eyes flitting to me.

It was then that it struck me—this wasn’t just any restaurant; this was where the Triad wives held court.

“May I have the name?”

“Evelyn Zhou,” I said, feeling a small jolt of nerves at the mention of Nathan’s mother.

“Ah, Mrs. Zhou. Right this way, please.”

We walked through the tea room, past tables full of women whose eyes raised to mine with secret smiles. Some nodded subtly; others averted their gaze. What was clear was that Evelyn had a certain amount of power here–and as her future daughter-in-law, I did too.

“Here we are,” the hostess announced, stopping at a booth partially hidden by a carved wooden screen after we’d gone past a screen door painted with flowers. “Mrs. Zhou is already waiting.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, grateful for her guidance through the labyrinthine layout.

The hostess offered a polite nod before gliding away, leaving me to gather my thoughts.

This was the moment of truth.

I was about to find out if Evelyn Zhou would be our ally or our enemy.

Evelyn sat alone, serene and focused. A fine porcelain pot of steaming tea awaited on the polished surface between us, its curling vapors mingling with the scent of incense that burned from a small censer in the corner. The fragrance was familiar—a rich, spiced aroma that took me back to my initiation into the Triad’s secret world. I could almost hear the whispered oaths of that night, and Mengyao Sun’s gurgling final breaths.

It was a crimson stain on this beautiful place. I wondered if she’d had tea here before she died.

“Abigail,” Evelyn greeted, her voice as smooth as the silk that draped her frame, a gentle smile on her face. She stood gracefully, her movements as controlled as they were welcoming.

“Mrs. Zhou,” I replied, stepping forward. The proximity to power, even veiled in civility, sent a shiver of apprehension through me. My instincts as an agent flared—this wasn’t just a casual invitation for tea; there was something more at play here.

Evelyn’s arms wrapped around me in a hug that held the warmth of genuine affection, albeit laced with the tension of unspoken agendas. I returned the embrace, noting how she fit the role of matriarch flawlessly, yet I sensed the steel beneath the soft exterior. This was a woman who navigated the treacherous waters of Triad life with an invisible hand, her influence felt but rarely seen.

If this woman could handle Kenny Zhou, then I absolutely couldn’t underestimate her.

“Please, sit,” she said, gesturing to the seat across from her. The waitress had already arranged everything with meticulous care—the bone white china cups poised beside the pot, waiting to be filled.

“Thank you.” I lowered myself onto the cushioned seat, smoothing the fabric of my skirt as I settled in. A fountain in the corner, beside the smoking incense, gurgled merrily, almost calming me down…not that it was enough.

It felt too engineered, like any peace would be false.

Like a trick…or a trap.

“Such a peaceful place,” I commented, trying to ease the tight grip of unease that clenched within me.

“Yes, it is,” Evelyn agreed, pouring the steaming tea with practiced elegance into my cup before filling her own. “A respite from the chaos outside.”

“Thank you for inviting me,” I said sincerely.