Chapter 4 Liebestraum S541
1247 Words
The following evening, Willow was in her usual spot in the glass-walled conservatory, her fingers gliding across the piano keys.
The melody she played filled the air with an ethereal beauty, light as a midsummer breeze, stirring Julian's heart the moment he stepped through the front door.
Drawn by the music, he followed the sound until he reached the conservatory. There she was, seated in the center, surrounded by lush greenery, her fingers dancing effortlessly over the keys.
Each note seemed to bloom from her touch, cascading into a spellbinding melody.
Julian lingered in the doorway, watching silently.
The warm, orange glow of the lights bathed Willow's face, making her appear as though the stars had scattered themselves across her skin. She looked like the moon itself, cradled by the adoration of the stars.
When the final note faded, Willow stood gracefully from the piano and turned her head, her gaze meeting Julian's.
"Did you enjoy it?" she asked, her voice soft, with a hint of mischief.
Julian clapped lightly as he stepped inside.
"Enjoyed it? I'm starting to think you have an endless supply of surprises."
Willow held his gaze, a playful smile curving her lips. "Oh, there's plenty more. Would you like to see for yourself?"
Julian's lips curled into a smirk. "If I'm lucky enough to be invited."
*****
Later that night, after the storm of passion between them had subsided, Julian cradled Willow in his arms, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"I'll be traveling to Zephyros tomorrow for a couple of days. Is there anything you'd like from there?" he asked, his voice a deep murmur against her hair.
"Zephyros?" Willow tilted her head thoughtfully.
"I've heard they're famous for their crystals. If you could bring me back a phantom quartz bracelet, I'd be absolutely thrilled."
Julian's brows lifted slightly. "A simple crystal bracelet?"
"Not just any bracelet," she clarified with a soft laugh. "One that you choose for me personally. That makes all the difference."
She knew full well that a crystal bracelet wasn't extravagant, but that wasn't the point. What she wanted was to stay in his mind, to carve out a space for herself in his thoughts. It wasn't about the gift itself—it was about making herself unforgettable, subtly elevating her importance in his life.
Julian studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable, and then nodded.
"If I have time, I'll pick one out for you. By the way, how's the piano? If it's not to your liking, let Ronan take you out to find a better one," Julian offered casually.
Willow buried her face in his chest, hiding the fleeting flash of bitterness in her eyes.
"It's perfect. Honestly, it's the best piano I've ever played. I love it."
Comforted by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, Willow drifted into a light sleep in Julian's arms.
When he stirred at dawn, she woke as well but kept her eyes closed until she heard the sound of the front door closing behind him.
After he left, Willow quickly got dressed and left the villa, adopting the guise of a carefree woman enjoying a day of shopping.
She spent hours moving from store to store, ensuring her movements seemed ordinary.
Later that evening, back at the villa, she opened one of the shopping bags, pulling out a stuffed toy. Hidden inside was a USB drive containing data on Julian's recent activities.
Plugging it into her laptop, she sifted through the files, her brow furrowing as the pieces began to connect.
Julian's trip to Zephyros wasn't just business. He was meeting with the region's top hospital leaders. Zephyros, renowned for its medical advancements, now added another layer of intrigue.
'A Colburn girl,' she thought, her mind racing.
Destroying the USB drive, Willow carefully placed the remains back into the toy, making a mental note to dispose of it during her next outing.
*****
A week later, Julian's call came. "I'll be home tonight," he said, his tone as brief and commanding as ever.
Willow hung up and then moved to the piano, letting her fingers hover over the keys.
Tonight, she would play Liebestraum S541, a piece she had chosen deliberately, its romantic undertones perfect for the occasion.
As night fell, her melody filled the villa.
But when the piece ended, Julian hadn't appeared.
Frowning, Willow stood and made her way to the living room, where she found him standing stiffly near the entrance, his face clouded with anger.
She hurried forward, her mind racing, scanning her recent actions.
"Why that piece?" Julian's voice was sharp, almost cutting.
For a brief moment, relief washed over Willow—his anger wasn't about discovering her secrets. But before she could respond, Julian set a small box on the table and turned on his heel, leaving without another word.
Willow chased him outside, only to see his car disappearing down the driveway.
Defeated, she returned to the villa and opened the box.
Inside were two exquisite crystal bracelets—one phantom quartz, the other rose quartz.
Her shoulders relaxed. 'At least his anger isn't aimed at me,' she thought. Still, she needed answers.
She turned to Rosalind, the housekeeper. "Did anything unusual happen when Mr. Lennox arrived?"
Rosalind shook her head. "No, Miss. He stood by the door listening to your music for a while and then walked in."
"Thank you, Rosalind. You can go now," Willow replied with a polite nod.
Alone in her room, Willow replayed Julian's words in her mind.
"Why that piece?"
Julian's words echoed in Willow's mind as she tried to piece together the cause of his sudden anger. Earlier that day, his phone call had been casual, and he'd even brought her the crystal bracelets she'd requested. It wasn't until he entered the villa that his mood shifted. The timeline was clear—he'd arrived, paused to listen to her play, and then confronted her with that sharp question. But why?
"Why that piece?"
The last time she'd played the piano, Julian had been nothing but appreciative. His anger this time had to be tied to the piece she chose.
"Liebestraum S541..."
What about it had triggered his reaction?
No answers came, so she picked up her phone and made a call.
"I need information on Julian Lennox and his connection to the piece Liebestraum S541," she instructed, her voice calm but firm.
Hanging up, she stepped out onto the balcony, the cool air brushing against her skin.
Julian's emotions mattered little to her—what mattered was ensuring his mood never affected her plans for revenge.
*****
The following day, Willow met Sebastian at a quiet café.
Though he was swamped with work as Julian's second-in-command, Willow's connection to Julian ensured he would make time for her.
By the time Sebastian arrived, Willow was already seated by the window.
He slid into the chair opposite her and asked, "What's so urgent you needed to see me?"
"What does Liebestraum S541 mean to Mr. Lennox?"
Sebastian blinked in surprise. "You played that piece?"
"Yes, and it made him angry. I want to know why."
"That's his business, not mine to tell."
Willow leaned forward, her voice steady. "You're his friend, so you want him to be at peace. I want to stay by his side and keep him happy. Our goals align. Don't you think?"
Sebastian studied her for a long moment before sighing. "Fine. I'll tell you, but you'll owe me a favor."
- Writer
