Taming My Sugar Mommy
Chapter 46: Welcome to Hong Kong

Chapter 46: Welcome to Hong Kong

Liam woke to gentle turbulence, the plane dipping slightly as it began its descent into Hong Kong. Sunlight streamed through the window, painting golden patterns across the cabin. He turned to find Isabella already awake, her phone in hand despite yesterday’s talk about disconnecting.

"So much for no work," he murmured, voice still gravelly with sleep.

Isabella looked up, caught in the act. "Just the weather forecast," she said, quickly tucking the phone away. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, her perfume enveloping him. "Sleep well?"

"Better than expected." Liam stretched, his muscles protesting after hours in the jet. "Any word from Christina and Marcus?"

"Landed an hour ago. They’re heading to the hotel to make sure everything’s ready for us." Isabella’s fingers drummed against her armrest, a nervous tic he rarely saw from her. "Marcus texted that Christina’s been practicing her Cantonese with the taxi driver."

Liam laughed, picturing Christina’s determined expression. "Five bucks says she’s already got the poor guy teaching her slang."

"Ten says Marcus is pretending he doesn’t know her."

Their shared laughter felt good—easy in a way things hadn’t been between them in months.

The skyline emerged through wisps of morning fog as they descended, skyscrapers packed impossibly tight against lush mountains, the harbor a brilliant blue beyond.

"God, that’s gorgeous," Liam said, pressing closer to the window.

Isabella watched him rather than the view. "I keep forgetting you’ve never been."

"Some of us don’t jet around the world making billion-dollar deals," he teased, but there was no bite to it.

"Why Hong Kong?" he asked again, turning from the window to find her watching him. "You still haven’t told me."

Isabella hesitated, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Remember when you came by my place yesterday with those quarterly reports?"

"Yeah. You were in that meeting with Mr. Chen."

"I had this old bucket list in my desk drawer," she said, her tone deliberately casual. "Found it sitting on top of everything when I got home. Assumed you’d seen it."

"I didn’t go through your desk," Liam frowned. "I just left the reports with Christina and—" Understanding dawned. "Ah. Christina."

Isabella’s laugh was soft. "I should have known. That woman misses nothing."

"And Hong Kong was on this list?"

"Top spot." Isabella gazed out at the approaching city. "Written when I was twenty-five and thought I had all the time in the world to see it." She looked back at him, something vulnerable flickering in her eyes. "Finding that list... it hit me hard, Liam. All these years focused on building something, never stopping to enjoy it."

The plane touched down with a gentle bump, and Liam realized Isabella had reached for his hand without seeming to notice she’d done it.

"So here we are," he said, squeezing her fingers. "Thanks to Christina’s meddling."

"That woman deserves a raise," Isabella murmured.

"You pay her enough to buy Hong Kong already," Liam pointed out.

"Worth every penny."

They emerged from the plane into a wall of humid heat, the air thick with unfamiliar scents—spices, sea salt, exhaust, and something floral Liam couldn’t name. A sleek black car waited on the tarmac, driver standing at attention beside it.

"Ms. Ashworth, Mr. Campbell." The man bowed slightly. "I am Wei. Welcome to Hong Kong."

The city unfolded around them during the drive—a sensory overload of neon signs, ancient temples nestled between gleaming office towers, streets teeming with life.

"Marcus texted," Isabella said, checking her phone. "He and Christina are settled at the hotel. Apparently, she’s already made friends with half the staff."

"Of course she has." Liam shook his head fondly. "That’s her superpower."

Wei navigated them through increasingly narrow streets until the grand colonial façade of The Peninsula came into view, doormen in crisp white uniforms standing at attention.

"The most historic hotel in Hong Kong," Wei informed them with evident pride. "Your suite overlooks the harbor."

The lobby was all old-world splendor—gilded columns, classical music from a string quartet, afternoon tea being served on fine china. They were whisked up to their suite where Marcus waited outside the door, his imposing figure instantly relaxing at the sight of them.

"All clear," he reported with his typical economy of words. "Christina’s inside unpacking your things."

Sure enough, they found Christina organizing Isabella’s clothes in the bedroom closet, humming to herself.

"You went through my desk," Isabella said by way of greeting.

Christina turned, not a hint of guilt on her face. "You’re welcome," she replied smoothly. "The blue silk is hanging up, the comfortable shoes are in the closet, and I’ve put your sunscreen in the bathroom." She glanced at Liam. "Your things are in the second bedroom, though I’m guessing that’s just for show."

Liam felt heat creep up his neck while Isabella laughed.

"Anything else we should know?" Isabella asked, arms crossed but clearly amused.

"Dinner reservations at eight. Harbor cruise tomorrow at sunset. The rest is up to you." Christina gathered her tablet. "Marcus and I are down the hall if you need us. Which you won’t," she added with a pointed look, "because this is your time off. Boss."

After Christina and Marcus left, Liam wandered to the windows, taking in the staggering view—boats crisscrossing the harbor, the opposite shore’s skyline shimmering in the afternoon sun.

"So," he said, turning back to Isabella. "Three days in Hong Kong, courtesy of your nosy assistant and a decade-old bucket list. What do we do first?"

Isabella crossed to stand beside him, her shoulder brushing his as she gazed out at the city. "I was thinking we could start with lunch. There’s a dim sum place nearby that’s supposed to be incredible." She glanced up at him, uncertainty flickering across her face. "Unless you’d rather rest first?"

Liam smiled, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "I think I’ve had enough rest. Let’s go see what Hong Kong has to offer."

For a moment, Isabella looked surprised by the casual intimacy of his gesture. Then she smiled—not her usual controlled, professional smile, but something more genuine that reached her eyes.

"Let’s get lost," she agreed, taking his hand.

They stepped out into the afternoon heat, the bustle of Hong Kong immediately enveloping them. Isabella had shed her usual corporate armor—the tailored blazer and heels replaced by a flowing silk blouse and comfortable walking shoes that Christina had thoughtfully unpacked.

"This way," Isabella said, consulting her phone briefly before tucking it away. "The place is called Lin Heung Tea House. It’s old-school—no English menus, no tourists. We’ll stick out like sore thumbs."

"Perfect," Liam grinned. "Lead the way, Ms. Bucket List."

The restaurant was hidden down a side street, unassuming from the outside but bursting with life within. Elderly servers pushed metal carts between tightly packed tables, shouting in rapid Cantonese. The noise was deafening, the air thick with steam and savory aromas.

A waiter squeezed them in at a table already occupied by a family of four, who nodded politely before returning to their animated conversation.

"How do we even order?" Liam whispered, overwhelmed by the chaos.

Isabella’s eyes sparkled with unexpected mischief. "Watch and learn."

She flagged down a passing cart, pointing decisively at bamboo steamers. The server nodded approvingly, depositing three on their table with a practiced flourish.

"What did we just get?" Liam asked, staring at the mysterious containers.

"No idea," Isabella admitted, lifting a lid to reveal translucent dumplings. "That’s half the fun."

He poked at a gelatinous cube suspiciously. "If this turns out to be some animal’s internal organ, I’m blaming you."

"Says the man who once ate gas station sushi on a dare," Isabella reminded him, delicately picking up the cube with her chopsticks and popping it into her mouth. Her eyes widened. "Oh. That’s... interesting."

"Good interesting or ’I need a hospital’ interesting?"

"Let’s call it ’cultural experience’ interesting," she said, reaching for her water. "Your turn."

They ate with abandon—pork buns that melted on the tongue, shrimp dumplings so fresh they practically snapped, lotus-wrapped sticky rice that left their fingers gloriously messy. Isabella abandoned her usual fastidious table manners, laughing when soy sauce dripped down her wrist

"Well," Liam said, raising his teacup, "here’s to bucket lists and meddling assistants."

After lunch, they wandered through the streets of Central, drifting without purpose. They found themselves in a tiny shop selling hand-carved chops—personalized stamps used for signatures. The elderly craftsman studied Isabella’s face with professional intensity before selecting a small piece of jade.

"For you," he declared, his English heavily accented. "Strong woman, but heart soft inside. Like jade."

Isabella watched, transfixed, as he carved intricate characters into the stone.

"What does it say?" she asked when he finished.

The old man smiled. "Your name, but in our way. It means ’beautiful one who sees clearly.’"

Outside, Isabella turned the small package over in her hands. "I haven’t bought a souvenir in years," she confessed. "Always rushing to the next meeting, the next deal."

Liam took her free hand, their fingers interlacing naturally. "Well, we’re not rushing anywhere today."

They continued their exploration, finding themselves in a garden tucked between skyscrapers—an oasis of tranquility amidst the urban frenzy. Elderly men played mahjong under banyan trees while tai chi practitioners moved through ancient forms with meditative precision.

Isabella’s phone buzzed. She glanced at it reflexively, then hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen.

"Important?" Liam asked, already knowing the answer.

With deliberate slowness, Isabella switched the phone to silent and slipped it back into her pocket. "Nothing that can’t wait."