Chapter 15: Love Letters and Key

She would read the letters again and again ever time she feels distressed or sad. In this case, she's feeling...loss.

The box full of letters was inside her bedroom, placed at the corner together with the documents about the company.

Her mother might be nosy, but not to the extent she would ruin her privacy. Mrs Bai knew how much her daughter treasures the box and wouldn't like others to snoop its contents.

Lillie unlocked the box with the key she always wear as a necklace. Opening the lid, what greeted her were perfectly stored and beautiful letters, that was arranged by dates.

She grabbed the very first letter her suitor sent her. Carefully unfolding it, she begun to read.

[Hair as beautiful as the moon,

That even the wind kiss and swoon.

Your eyes of luscious blue,

Like the wonderful sky's hue.

Years I would wait,

For I believe in faith.

My love for you, I hope you claim

As I, forever, will remain.] [1]

Because she reads them a lot for the passed years, she practically memorized every single words of the 99 letters [2] the person gave her.

It's been years, eleven years to be exact, since he started writing her letters but suddenly stopped at her 2nd year of High School.

She was not the kind of person who's hopelessly romantic and would wait for his letters. She assumed that he already met someone and was probably happily married with kids.

Everything is just a short term crush, be it puppy love and yet...why would she still keep them? Why would she carefully store them? Why would she put effort on such things?

Lillie placed the letter back on the box and put the lid back on. Locking the box, she placed it under the bed.

She was satisfied by her new bedroom. Much like her old one, but a bit bigger and better. The walls were carved with elegant, golden fleur de lis [3], which is her favorite symbol.

The furnitures were complete, all of her clothes and shoes were placed inside the walk-in-closet. Her jewelries and accessories are on the drawers, her perfumes and make-ups are perfectly placed on the vanity table, exactly like how she arrange them back at her old room.

'Knock knock'

"Young miss, dinner will be served shortly." She heard Butler Tian called through the door.

"Thank you, Butler Tian. I'll get down after." She responded. Lillie went to the bathroom to wash her face. Then, she changed into a more comfortable outfit that consists of a loose black turtleneck sweater and white leggings. Lastly, her hair was put up into a messy bun.

She also removed her contact lenses, and put on her eyeglasses instead. She looks absolutely sophisticated just by that simple clothes and to what more if she 'really' dresses up. Her mother is a famous, French, fashion designer, her daughter is anything but simple.

Lillie went downstairs and towards the dining room, where Ethan is already sitting, waiting for her.

The room was peacefully silent, much to Lillie's relief. The food was served and they began to eat.

Ethan's attention was not on the food but to the person across him, silently chewing. She looks younger when she removes her make up and her round eyeglasses made her look like a teenage school girl. To make the statement short, she looks cute.

He roamed his eyes around her face, down to her slender neck, that was unfortunately covered by the sweater. Then, he noticed a peculiar object hanging around her neck.

A key pendant necklace? Ethan narrowed his eyes and frowned. A key pendant necklace symbolizes many things like opening doors of opportunities or....the key of someone's heart.

Lillie suddenly shivered, she feels like someone's looking at her. So, when she tilted her head up, she saw Ethan staring, intensely, at her.

Her brows furrowed and strangely stare back. "Is there a problem?"

"That necklace looks good on you." He tested. "Is that another fashion trend or something?"

Lillie was confused, but answered him, honestly, non the less. "It's a real key. I wore it as a necklace for safe keeping."

Now Ethan was intrigue. A special key that opens something she values the most.

"What does it open?"

"I don't see why it is your concern, Mr Li. Leave it aside." Lillie lightly glare, ended the topic of the conversation.

How odd, he was the first one to question her like that. Her mother even thought it was for fashion.

Ethan is getting agitated by her lack of response. He's extremely curious about it, he cannot just force her to tell him about it.

But, he's sure that she will open up to him soon. Besides they still have 324 days before the wedding.

He'll do everything in his power to make this woman's frozen heart melt.