บท 47: The Missing Diary
||Liliana||
The outcome of Liliana's meeting with Lucas yesterday satisfied her. Despite not knowing him well, she had a feeling that the revenge plan would succeed with his help. Just the thought alone reassured Liliana.
Lucas promised to contact her in four days, saying he would get the best of the best. Liliana was unsure what kind of method he might use but, she chose not to dwell on such a matter.
"Do you think we can trust him? Well... I wonder how he'd get the drug."
That was Nadia's question after Lucas excused himself to go first, leaving only the three ladies inside the private room. Nancy was also worried about the same thing.
"I'm not sure," Liliana shrugged, "Maybe he has his own ways. Let's just trust him for now."
Such kinds of drugs circulated in the gray zone. The authorities forbade their usage but, the regulations were never strict.
As someone who went through the bad and good of the high society where money and power ruled, Liliana had witnessed and heard several cases where the rich young masters used such drugs to have fun with the ladies.
In the end, Nancy and Nadia agreed with Liliana. They weren't that wary of Lucas just for the sole fact of him saving their friend's life before.
Liliana slept in today. Her body and mind were exhausted from the new changes in her life.
The penthouse at Ventura Suites was indeed comfortable but, it was too spacious and too luxurious for her own liking. It was already fully furnished by the time Liliana moved in.
"I need to look through my things," murmured Liliana to herself after having a simple brunch.
Because of the sudden move, Liliana had yet to really familiarize herself with the penthouse. It was a two-story one with five bedrooms and four washrooms.
As the best unit in Venture Suits, Liliana got to witness the beautiful scenery from the vast balcony.
Mr. Zhao and a team of helpers unpacked all the clothes and other items that belonged to Liliana. Everything was put according to the places.
The large in-suite wardrobe of the master bedroom was filled with her casual clothes, customed dresses, pieces of jewelry, luxury bags and designer footwear. Liliana's books which ranged from fiction to educational were all kept inside the library on the second floor.
Everything was well, except for...
"Where's my diary?"
Liliana was horrified after being unable to spot the leather-bound book. She didn't chronicle every single of her days inside, only occasionally.
The last time Liliana wrote something was on the night she told Asher that she was carrying their child, two weeks before the miscarriage. She always kept the book inside the bottommost drawer of the vanity table, hidden under the removable base.
Crouching in front of the wardrobe where her dresses were hung, Liliana couldn't help feeling anxious. She was afraid of the possibility of other people discovering the diary.
Because Liliana was unable to be truthful about her feelings for Asher, she poured her heart out into the diary. Every sentence was written with hope and care as she wished for a flower road to walk with him.
Frustrated with the missing diary, Liliana had no choice but to contact Mr. Zhao.
If possible, Liliana didn't want to have anything to do with the mansion but, she had to. She only communicated with the older man for a short moment before, just to talk about moving her items to the penthouse.
Liliana sat on the vanity stool. Reaching out for her main phone, she scrolled Contacts to look for Mr. Zhao's number. With anxiousness pressing into her mind, she tapped on Call.
The line was connected in three rings.
"Good afternoon, Young Madam. How have you been?"
Mr. Zhao's respectful voice echoed at the end of the line. Imagining the mellowness of his look and the gentleness of his smile, Liliana was able to calm down for a little.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Zhao. I'm getting better. How about you?"
Liliana felt guilty for not stepping foot into the mansion again after her discharge. Her presence completely vanished from there after the heartwrenching night.
"This old man is also healthy. It's just that, this old man is missing the young madam. I dare not contact you. The day is brighter because of your call today."
Liliana burst into laughter, her smile was reflected in the large vanity mirror.
"I'm sorry for just... disappearing like that. Thank you for helping to pack my things, Mr. Zhao. Everything is well-kept, just... I couldn't find something."
"What is it, Young Madam?" Mr. Zhao's tone was imbued with faint curiosity, "I'm sorry for not handling the packing well. Please tell me what is it and I'll do my best to find it for you."
"Oh, actually, that..."
Hesitant, Liliana couldn't come clean with her intention of calling Mr. Zhao. Doubts started to form in her mind, thinking what if Mr. Zhao showed the diary to Asher first without telling her?
Even though Asher was generally disinterested in such a simple matter, Liliana was still afraid. The diary held the rawest of her feelings, of her hopes and dreams.
After all, Mr. Zhao was still someone who was loyal to Asher. The older man had watched him growing up from a child to a refined young man.
"Oh, no... nothing. I just misplaced it. I'm sorry for disturbing your time, Mr. Zhao."
In the end, Liliana chose to bury the matter for the time being. She had to be so careful if she didn't want to be discovered.
"Are you sure, Young Madam?" asked Mr. Zhao in clarification. Liliana didn't notice the slight change in the man's tone.
"Yes, I'm sure," Liliana stated firmly, "W-well, I should get going now, Mr. Zhao. I have plans with my friends soon."
"Understood, Young Madam. If you need help, please don't hesitate to contact me. Even though you and the young master will separate soon, this old man still wishes to be assistance for you."
"...thank you, Mr. Zhao. Please... stay healthy," murmured Liliana, her eyes stung.
"May you always be in peace, Young Madam."
After the call ended, Liliana let out a loud sigh. Mr. Zhao's genuine concern made her feel bad for doubting him.
But...
If only Liliana knew the truth.
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hansora
hansora A few chapters back, Asher briefly thought of the diary ;)
บท 48: Mapping Her Life After Gaining Freedom
On the morning of January 7th, Liliana headed to Cerulean Meadow Sanatorium. The distance between the sanatorium and Ventura Suites was huge, it took her approximately an hour of a cab ride to reach there.
Today was the day of the court hearing. Liliana didn't want to be alone in the spacious and luxurious penthouse.
Nancy and Nadia wanted to accompany her but, they had their own matters to attend to.
Nancy was busy with her job at the restaurant while Nadia had to meet her editor today. They promised to celebrate Liliana getting free tonight. The two ladies would stay the night at the penthouse.
At half-past ten, Liliana was already ready to tend to Cassia on her hospital bed. She politely dismissed the personal caretaker, Mrs. Li. The experienced caretaker was glad about the offer to rest by Liliana.
"Mrs. Shen, I'll just be at the lounge. If you need me, please contact me immediately. I'll return here," mentioned Mrs. Li before excusing herself from the private ward.
"Please rest assured," Liliana smiled at the middle-aged woman dressed in a pastel green uniform, "Just... you may call me Liliana or Xin, my maiden name. I'm getting a divorce from my husband today."
In just a few hours, she would no longer occupy the seat of Asher's wife.
"Oh... I'm sorry to hear that. I'll do that, Miss Xin," Mrs. Li profusely apologized.
"It's nothing, please don't apologize, Mrs. Li," Liliana gently waved the woman's worry off, "Then, I'm going to take care of my mom first."
"Yes, yes, I'll go now. See you later, Mrs... Miss Xin," Mrs. Li almost had a slip of tongue. She quickly corrected herself.
Liliana just smiled. She watched the older woman leave the ward.
Mrs. Li had been taking care of Cassia ever since the first day the latter was admitted here. The sanatorium suggested Mrs. Li when Thomas ordered his assistant to look for a private caretaker.
All this time, Mrs. Li's works were exemplary. She would rotate the shift with another caretaker, named Mrs. Yan.
"Mom... I'll be free today."
Liliana sat on the chair next to the bed. Reaching out both hands, she began to massage Cassia's limbs. She started from her left calf.
Liliana exerted the right pressure with each of her movements, following Mrs. Li's teachings before. The latter was generous in helping her to gain knowledge about caretaking.
"Mom, your daughter will be a divorcee..." Liliana continued talking to the unconscious Cassia, "But, it means I'll stop living an unhappy married life. I know you'll be proud and supportive of me."
After thinking it through, Liliana planned to stop making the Xin family handle Cassia's treatment cost. Following the divorce, she was more than capable to be financially independent of the Xin family, unlike how she was during her youth.
At the beginning of Liliana's marriage to Asher, Old Madam Shen proposed for the Shen family to bear the cost. It was just a minuscule amount for them but, she rejected it.
Liliana was really afraid of being branded as a gold-digger by the rest of the Shen family, especially Asher despite knowing it was a crucial need on her part.
That was one of the reasons why Liliana rarely used the credit card given by Asher who told her he was just doing a husband's duty. Most of the things she owned were sent to her by Caleb who claimed they all were from Asher.
Fortunately, Thomas claimed he wouldn't stop supporting Cassia even though Liliana was married into the Shen family. But, now was the time to stop it.
"Mom, Grandma Shen gave me a penthouse. But, I'm thinking to find another place. I wonder if our old apartment is still there," Liliana moved from the left calf to the right, "I might have to transfer you to another sanatorium, Mom. It's best if our places will be closer."
Liliana planned to ask Mrs. Li if she knew of other good sanatoriums in the capital. If Mrs. Li and Mrs. Yan were willing, she planned to continue hiring them as her mother's caretakers.
"A small apartment but, with a good ambiance. One where I can see people walking down the streets, smell delicious scents coming from a coffee shop... isn't that great, Mom?"
Liliana smiled sadly at the sight of Cassia lying rigidly on the bed.
Her future path was unknown but, Liliana didn't want to only stay idle.
Aside from her initial intention to run a business, she might also take up some minor jobs to fill in her time. Perhaps they would be translations.
Not many people knew of Liliana being a polyglot. She could speak and write in several languages fluently; Chinese, English, Korean, French and Italian.
Before Liliana took a major in foreign language study, she already learned them when she was still in the Xin household. What started as fulfilling her time being ignored by everyone became her most important asset.
After Liliana finished with the massage, she stretched out her limbs. It was already noon, two more hours before the court hearing.
Attorney Su would contact Liliana if there was a pressing matter. She really hoped everything would end so soon.
At least... she wouldn't be stupid to wish for a reconciliation with the man who didn't have her in his eyes or heart.
Ring~ Ring~
Liliana froze. She abruptly turned around, her eyes fell on the phone lying on the bedside table. It was her main phone that she had stopped switching off.
Liliana's heart started beating erratically. It was a familiar ringtone despite her rarely hearing it throughout the past four years.
Hands shivering, she picked up the phone and stared at the screen, hoping that she was wrong.
Asher, it was him. This was the ringtone that Liliana specified only for his contact.
What did he want?
Frowning, Liliana ended up taking the call. She placed the phone close to her right ear. Her mind was buzzing with the heavy pounding of her heart.
"Hello, Mr. Shen."
A light scoff traveled from the end of the line, entering Liliana's hearing. Asher's voice followed shortly.
"Come to the court hearing."
"...what? What for?" Flustered, Liliana stuttered.
"Just come," Asher didn't provide a reason, "I'll wait for you here."
Liliana's frown grew deeper.
What kind of stunt did this man try to do right now?
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hansora
hansora
SOOO CLOSEEE!
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