THIRTEEN (1/1)

___________________________________________________________25 CONTROVERSIAL QUOTES  FROM THE STYLE EMPRESSOn humility:Humility and hubris are flip sides of the same coin.Both aim to achieve the same. Attention.In the business I’m in, not getting attention is doom.And luxury is never humility’s favorite companion.Sandara Park__________________________________________________   IF THE RAINFOREST LOOKS MAGNIFICENT when you’re under the trees, the view from the top is equally breathtaking.  By this time, my vertigo no longer acts up whenever I’m up in the air looking down.  We’re floating above the rainforest on a cable car, slowly traversing the distance. Mist is hovering about and it gives the experience an aura of mystique.  “There’s Punto Fiamma!” I exclaim.  Jaejoong smiles at me. “Yup.”  “I can see the Sanctuary! Wow, it really looks magnificent from here. Out of this world!”  “I thought you’d like it.”  We pass over a waterfall. The cab lowers in altitude and moves so close to the falls it vibrates slightly. This place is beyond amazing.  “What’s happening down there?” I ask, looking at the foot of the falls where people are crowding in one part.  “That’s where the river rafting starting point is.”  “I wanna try that.”  “Really now? Not scared? It’s a very rough ride.”  “I’m insured.”   He chuckles. “And you’re a very good rider based on my personal experience.”  Normally I’d blush at his naughty innuendos but I’ve quickly learned to match him the past days. It’s one of the things I really enjoy about him. He’s always laughing and making me laugh. We haven’t had any dull moments so far. “And you’ve been a really good pony.”  “Pony?!” he protests as if insulted. “Not a stallion?”  “I love ponies. They respond better to their masters.”  He growls. “Is that so?”  I see the wicked gleam in his eyes and my body reacts immediately. I’m like a purring engine around him, ready for action the moment he wants a spin.  “You’re gonna pay for that remark later.”  “Promise?” I lie down on his lap and face his crotch.  He chuckles, shaking his head. “You’re very naughty, Sandara Park.”  I rub my face on his fly like a kitten.  “Woman, don’t do that. I don’t wanna see my Master with a  boner.”  “Master? I’m your master.”  “Well, I have another one I’d like you to meet, too. Behave.”    ————//————    “What is this place?” I ask as he guides me along a narrow strip of  road lined on both sides by bougainvilleas in full bloom. It’s straight out of Neverland.  “This is my surprise for you today.”  “Oh. I thought it was the cable ride. That was already grand.”  “I have another surprise on our ride back.” He winks at me.  He has this childlike enthusiasm every time, but truth be told, I’m really getting usedto being surprised. It’s like having Santa everyday. I didn’t realize I missed a lot of Santa when I was a kid. My stepmother hid Santa from me.  “Is the cable ride the only way up here?”  “There’s another way but only the monks can pass that route on foot. It’s a very steep trail on the side of the mountain. Even expert mountaineers aren’t comfortable passing that way.”   “Monks?”  “Yeah. There.”  We come to a clearing, a landing paved with bricks. From here you can see a cluster of ancient-looking buildings down the slope. They seem to be hanging precariously on the side of the cliff, too, pretty much like The gallery.  “Wow, is that a temple?”  “A Buddhist monastery.”  “It looks ancient.”  “Yup, 17th century.”  “How in hell did they build a structure like that up here in those times? How did they transport the materials?”  “They made the materials here. The temple’s made of bricks and hard wood.”  I stare at it in wonder. Then I glance at the man standing beside me. My eyes get misty. Why am I getting so emotional lately? My tear ducts seem to be awakening from a long dormancy.   “I really, really love this surprise, Jaejoong. Thank you,” I say, my voice shaking a bit. Really, this is extra special.   He smiles at me tenderly and takes my hand. “C’mon, let’s meet the brothers.”  “Do they speak English?”  “Yeah. Fluently.”  “Who taught them?”  “My parents and my teachers.”   I wish I’ve met the King of Monte Franco, too, the man who sired this wonderful human being that’s making me experience more meaningful things in a week than what I’ve attempted to do in my whole life.   As we trek the brick steps going down to the temple, Jaejoong told me th