Chapter 12: Calm Before The Storm

What? Is the only word Lillie had inside her head. What, what just happen? What did her father just blurted?

Living...together? With the man she just promised to never be with if he disagree to their contract?

What contract? Oh, you mean that useless thing? Yeah, that.

As much as Lillie wanted to explode in anger, she could only bite the inside of her cheek until she taste the familiar metallic substance.

Yes, that's how angry she is but the people around her didn't notice a thing as she was just standing, motionless and void of any emotions.

Thought, it did go noticed by a pair of sharp phoenix eyes. Ethan can see her wrath, from the extreme coldness in her eyes and the slight unevenness of her cheek.

Elliot also noticed it, he's been with her for 9 years after all. He picked a clean handkerchief from his breast pocket and hand it to her.

Lillie accepted it and covered her mouth, dispelling the red liquid on the cloth without getting too much attention. The punctured flesh has sting her greatly but she was nonchalant about it.

Elliot sighed and mentally shook his head, there are only a very few people who could make his boss angry to the state of unconscious self-harm.

Ethan's eyes were cold and dark, narrowing them at the foreign man beside his future bride.

Ethan wondered why she would accepted that "other-man-polluted" fabric. He is jealous that Elliot knows the exact reason she needs it.

He wanted to be in his place, to know everything about her, to predict what she needs, to know what she likes and hate. Well, he knows one, she hates him.

"Little flower, are you alright?" Elder Bai asked in concern. Lillie wiped her mouth thoroughly before folding the handkerchief and putting it inside her pocket.

"Yes, I think I ate something foul." She casually made an excuse, not even having a hard time speaking.

Elder Bai lectured her and reminds her to be careful of what she eats next time, Lillie listened and obediently nodded.

"So, let's talk about the living arrangements. We bought a new house for you two, think of it as an advanced wedding gift." Elder Bai started.

"It was your mother and grandmother's decision, little flower, please don't hate us, your grandpa and father." Elder Bai pitifully added.

He was against this idea in the first place but he can't say no to his wife, same goes for his son to his wife.

Which doting grandfather would agree to send his granddaughter directly into a vicious wolf's cave? No one in their right mind would do that!

The vicious wolf, Ethan, secretly smirked. Good thing the elder ladies are on his side.

Mrs Bai sheepishly grinned. "We wanted to have grandchildren soon, I believe your grandfather would love to meet his great-grandchildren too." Lillie glared at her mother and was about to open her mouth to speak but...

"You wouldn't want to disappoint your mother, who held you on her tummy for nine months and had the most painful experience of birthing you. Indulging you with things you want, designing dresses, bags and shoes for you." Mrs Bai played the "I sacrificed so many things for you" card with tearful eyes.

Lillie knew that her mother would do this but, she still cannot say no to her. Her mother knew her weakness so she took it for granted. 'I hate you, mom.'

"I'll only agree to these arrangements if he will 'promise' to do and agree to anything I say. We must have separate bedrooms..."

"Naturally." His father and grandfather said in unison while Ethan, Mrs Bai and Madam Bai sighed.

"...also, he must swear to never do anything against my morals." She emphasized and growled at the said man. Ethan innocently looked back.

"Good enough. Ethan do you swear?" Mrs Bai half-heartedly questioned.

"I swear." Not.

"Now that's all settled, shall we go there?" Mrs Bai clapped her hands as if she was the one moving in.

"Now?" Lillie and Elliot were surprised even Elder Bai and Mr Bai were not informed about it.

"Yes, we had someone to fetch your belongings from the house. Your new house is already complete with stuffs so you don't need to buy anything." Mrs Bai explained.

"Why do I feel you just wanted me out of the house?" Lillie mumbled to her mother.

"Don't be silly, ma chéri~ You will go back soon, with our grandchildren of course!" She grinned. Lillie mentally smacked her face, even now she wondered to whom she inherit her behavior and attitude.

After everything was settled, Elder Bai invited everyone for lunch first before going to the new house. The table is prepared by the servants, exquisite and mouthwatering dishes are beautifully placed.

The food consists of American, Chinese and French dishes, it suddenly feels like you're having a buffet at the imperial palace.

Everyone took their respective seats, the head of the household, Elder Bai is seated at the center, Old Madam Bai on his right and Mr Bai on his left. Beside Mr Bai is his wife then Elliot.

At the other side of the table, with Old Madam Bai, is Lillie and beside her is the man she wishes to strangle so much, Ethan Li.