Love Beyond Borders by Carmen Bowles

Author:Carmen Bowles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kitsune Hana Books
Published: 2018-07-28T00:00:00+00:00

CAMELLIA SHUFFLED INTO a small cafe. She was greeted by the hum of conversation and the sweet aroma of roasting coffee beans. The cafe's name stretched across a mural that featured snow covered flowers. Bright bold reds, yellows, and blues contrasted against the white snow flurries in the painted scene.

She settled across from Haru. Her hidden smile revealed itself as she loosened her scarf.

“Konbanwa. Did you wait long?”

Haru smiled. “I didn't. Did you find trouble while coming here?”

Camellia shook her head. “It was easy to find.”

He stood. “Nani nomitai desu ka?”

Camellia grinned. “Matcha latte, please.”

“Green tea? Have you been to a tea ceremony yet?”

“Not yet, but I want to go to one.”

“I'll take you to one when we have some free time from school. What do you think?”

Camellia nodded. “Sounds nice. Thank you.”

“You don't have to be so formal with me okay? Please speak to me causally.”

Her smile reached her eyes. “I will.”

Haru returned with two drinks. He set Camellia's green tea before her. “Do you want sugar? It might be a bit too bitter for you. You like sweet things, right?”

Camellia's cheeks flushed. She nodded. “Sugar, please.”

Haru placed a sugar cube in her tea. He met her hazel brown eyes. He smiled. “Anata wa Kireina.”

Heat flashed across her face. “I'm beautiful?”

“Yes. Camellia means waiting in the language of flowers here. What are you waiting for?”

Her eyes widened. She stared at her ceramic tea cup. He thinks I’m beautiful? Really?

Haru sat up straight. “Gomen. Did I say something wrong?”

She met his eyes. “Don't be sorry. I was just a bit surprised. Anata wa Kakkoi.”

“You think I'm handsome? Thanks. Do you know of the story that this cafe was named after?”

Camellia shook her head.

“One day, a young samurai was traveling in the snow. A bed of bright yellow marigolds caught his eye. They reminded him of a poem written by his first love. It said 'as one passes by flowers growing in the snow, they will soon find something wonderful will happen in their future. The young samurai soon married a young noblewoman and they had many children. They grew old together and watched their children grow. One day, the samurai took his wife by the hand. He said to her when I was young, I passed a bed of yellow marigolds growing in the snow and remembered what the legend said about them. I was told that once I saw them something wonderful would happen to me. Soon after I met you. You are my flower in the snow. Special and wonderful. Thank you for loving me.”

Camellia smiled. “That’s a beautiful story. The samurai must really love his bride.”

“Camellia, will you be my flower in the snow?”

She nodded, her small fist masked her mouth.

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