Chapter 3 The Letter

As we get to the dining, we take a seat opposite each other, and open the plate of food. " Hmmm." Ethan grunt, " nice flavor."

" Yeah!" I responded.

" You really took your time on this."

" I always take my time on everything." I replied.

" That's right." He said and picked cutlery, and I did the same. " There's something I forgot to tell you last night."

" What is that?" I asked as I kept munching the food in my mouth.

" I'll be going on a business trip with Mr Raymond.

" Okay!" I pick the glass of water and drink a little, then drop it and continue to eat. " When is that?"

" Today!" He replied and my hands weakened as I stared at him in surprise. " Really?"

He dropped the cutlery into the plate and turned to me, placing his elbows on the table. " It's an urgent trip. I wasn't informed earlier. I got to know about it yesterday, and like I said, I forgot to tell you. I'm sorry about that."

If there's anything I love about Ethan, he is gentle and caring, unlike Rowan, who's very arrogant. The only day Ethan flared up with me, was the day I tried to unbutton his shirt while he's asleep. And that's because I was trying to find out something from him, cause since we started dating, I've never seen his entire body before. I only see his face, his feet, and his hands. The rest of it, he usually cover it up with his dress.

And whenever we wanna have sex he will switch off the light, and when we are done, he'll go straight to the bathroom to take a shower; then put on his dress and switch the light on again.

At first, I thought it's a medical problem, but later I realized that it isn't. That's when I decided to see what he's been hiding from me, by tempering with his dress while he's asleep, but he's quick to stop me by grabbing my hands and giving me a stern warning, never to try that again.

Ever since then, we've been going smoothly, without stepping on each other's toes.

" It's okay. So when are you leaving?" I pick the cutlery and continue to eat.

" When I'm done with this breakfast." He replied and began to eat as well.

" What?" I blurted out.

" Yeah!"

" Am I coming along?" I look up at him, then back to my food. But his reply made me look at him again.

" Nope! The trip is just for two days. I won't spend much time there. And I hope you won't miss me that much?" He rubbed his hands together and gazed at me.

" Of course I will. You know I always love to have you around."

" I won't stay long, I promise. I'll come back for you, okay?" He stretched out his hand and cupped my cheek. I nodded in response to him.

When we're done with the food, Ethan gets up and heads to the room, while I take the plate to the kitchen.

I left the kitchen to the room, to help him gather his things for the journey. As I pushed the door open and entered, I met him standing before the dressing mirror, a suitcase lying on the bed.

" Are you done?" I shut the door and walked to him.

" Yeah! How do I look?" He said and turned to me.

" Handsome as usual." I wrap my hands around his neck as I get to him, while he holds my waist. " Are you really sure that there's no way I can come with you? I don't want......"

" I'm sorry sweetheart, there's no way to. I would really love you to come along, but there's nothing I can do. Like I said, my Visa was made already, but I didn't know about it. If we want to do yours now, it will delay us, and it won't go well with our business partners. I know how you feel about this. But like I said, I won't stay long. It's just two days, please understand." He kissed my forehead and glanced at his wristwatch. " I'll have to go now, I'm running late."

"Okay! Let me drop you off." I pick the suitcase, and we walk out through the door. As we got outside, I opened the car and throw in the suitcase, then turn to him.

" Take care of yourself. Don't allow anyone to touch you." He whispered into my ears and kissed me again.

" Sure! And you too. Be a good man." I said with a smile, my arms folded around my chest.

" As always." He replied and entered the car. Waving at each other, he started the car and drove off. I stood there and watched, till the car disappeared. Then I turn and begin to head back to the house. I stopped walking the moment I noticed some papers, flying out from a certain window. A door opens instantly, and Rowan steps out. That's when I realized that the papers came from his window, and they're scattered about the floor.

He stopped the moment he saw me, and our eyes locked again. As if being pushed or controlled; I squat down and begin to pick the papers, then walk to him with it. He's shock, so was I, cause I don't know why I did that.

" Hi!" I faked a smile as I got to his frontage.

" Hi!" He replied, but it's mere like a whisper.

" Your papers!" I stretched it out to him, and he received it.

" Thanks!" He said and gulped down.

" My pleasure. And....." I drawled and continued, " welcome to this part of the world. Have a nice day." I turned to leave, but he called me back.

" Lorelei!" I furrowed my brows and quickly turned to him. " Any problem?"I asked.

"Not really a problem, it's just that erm...." He scratched his head. " Thank you so much for your help."

" You're welcome." I manage to smile, although I was surprised at the way and manner of which he spoke. Rowan that I know, would never speak in such a way.

"Just wait for a minute please." He dashed into the house, leaving me to wonder what he wanna do? He comes out with an envelope in his hand, and hands it over to me. " Here!"

" What is it for?"

" Just go through it and give me a reply. Thanks for helping me with the papers anyway." With that, he went into the house and shut the door.

I couldn't speak or move anymore. I stood there and looked at the envelope in my hands. After some minutes, I turned swiftly and headed back to the house. I took a seat as I got to the sitting room and closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath, and preparing my mind for whatever is in the envelope.

I tore it open and brought out a paper. It's tied with a red ribbon, and a rose flower placed on it.

" What does this mean?"

I drop the flower and the ribbon on the table, then proceed to open the letter. It reads:

" Dear Lorelei.

I know we have been apart for some time, and a lot has happened since then. But for these past few years, I have done nothing but to think of you. I hope you're doing okay.

With each day, I regret the decision I made more and more. I continuously replay my actions in my head, wishing that I could go back and do things differently. I cannot get you out of my mind. And I believe I will never fall out of love with you. You are unlike any person I have ever known, and it pains me that we are no longer together. I was in the wrong, and you did not deserve what I did to you. I know I made mistakes in the past, and I'm so sorry for the pain I caused you. I want to make things right, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make you happy again.

I'm writing to you today, to ask for the opportunity to have an open conversation with you. I understand that you may need time, but I cannot imagine my life without you. And the longer we spend apart, the more I yearn for your company. Please give me the chance to talk to you again. I'm waiting anxiously to hear from you. Yours sincerely, Rowan Emmett."