Chapter 53

"That is perfect, arigato!" I speak into the phone, before dropping it on the bed. The cake is coming to the tea house ten minutes early, like I requested, just what I wanted to hear as a final detail to wrap up the ceremony. In Japan, it's very common to use imposter cakes at wedding receptions. A lot of them are made of artificial rubber and these faux confections are iced with wax. Since the wedding is such a small party, I opted to order a small Dulce de Leche cake from a bakery only a ten-minute drive from the tea house. A flourless vanilla cake with caramel icing and caramel drizzle, this is Janet's favourite flavour and it will be more than sufficient for the ten guests.

I check my reflection, happy with my hair. Fastened in a loose sideways bun, I decided to tuck a pink cherry blossom above my left ear. My red lipstick isn't on my teeth, my winged eyeliner is applied immaculately, and my skin looks good.