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.