Ch 4: Mysterious Guy.

For days, Janet disappeared from the places she once frequented. She turned off notifications, ignored calls, and even avoided going to the library.

After the humiliation at the gala—an event that had not only been attended by the city's elite but also broadcasted for a wider audience—she couldn't bear the thought of stepping outside.

More than the incident itself, it was Sam Foster's words that lingered.

She replayed the sharpness in his voice, the way his gaze had held nothing but quiet disdain. And yet, beyond that, there was something else she feared more—the memory of the folded letter, waiting in the book. A silent reminder of the world she had briefly escaped into.

She told herself she wouldn't go back. That Lady J and Mr. S were nothing but a fleeting indulgence, a foolish little game that needed to end.

But on the fifth day, she cracked.

Janet found herself standing outside the library, her pulse racing. A part of her wished she would find the book untouched, the letter unread. Another part hoped—though she hated to admit it—that he had written back.

Taking a steadying breath, she stepped inside. But just as she reached the section, she hesitated.

Someone else was already there.

A tall man, well-dressed but not in an intimidating way, stood with his fingers grazing the spines of books. He had glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, his expression thoughtful as he examined the titles. There was something about him—an air of quiet intelligence, of patience.

As if sensing her presence, the man glanced at her and smiled. "Looking for something specific?"

Janet blinked, caught off guard. "Oh, no. Just… browsing."

"Good section," he said, tapping a book gently back into place. "It's underrated, really."

She forced a polite nod, hoping he would leave soon.

"Liam," he introduced himself. "I work at the university nearby."

"Janet," she replied out of habit, her voice neutral.

Something about his gaze was warm, kind even. The kind of warmth that suggested he was genuinely interested in books, in conversation, in people.

But Janet wasn't ready. Not for polite introductions. Not for new acquaintances.

Not when the weight of the unread letter pressed against her thoughts.

Their exchange lasted only a moment, yet it lingered in her mind as she reached for the book, her fingers trembling slightly as she flipped it open.

And there it was.

A folded letter, carefully placed between the pages.

Meanwhile, Emma, Janet's bubbly and outspoken friend, had her own run-in with the elusive Sam Foster. A chance meeting at a charity event brought them face-to-face once more. Unlike Janet, Emma was unfazed by his sharp demeanor.

"You're Sam Foster, aren't you?" she said, cornering him after his speech.

Sam sighed inwardly. "Yes, I am. And you are?"

"Emma. We met at the library gala. You yelled at my friend, Janet," she said, folding her arms.

Sam's brow furrowed. "The champagne incident?"

Emma nodded. "That's the one. She's not as fragile as she looks, you know. But maybe you should apologize if you ever see her again."

"I don't need advice on how to behave," Sam said curtly, though her words stayed with him long after their conversation ended.

Meanwhile Janet was successful in her letter back into the book. She matched his vibe and replied back. She writes;

To Mr. S,

"If I were holding the pen, I'd write a story of two dreamers who dared to imagine something extraordinary. I'd write about love not as a perfect fairy tale but as a shared adventure, messy and unpredictable yet beautiful in its imperfection.

But tell me, Mr. S, why do you keep coming back to this story? What are you searching for?"

Yours truly,

Lady J.

Sam found Janet's reply the next day, and her words resonated deeply. But before he could dwell on them, he received a call from his sister, Sophie.

"Sam, you need to take a break. Come to dinner tomorrow," Sophie insisted.

Sophie was one of the few people who could talk sense into him. Her sharp wit and genuine concern always kept him grounded. She was also keenly aware of the toll his work was taking on him.

"Fine," Sam relented. "But only for an hour."

Sophie cared about his brother, who was becoming more and more antisocial.

"How long will you stay like this?", she asked Sam.

Sam looked at her and just shook his head.

"I think you should go out more often, have a life, maybe you should consider getting married ", Sophie insisted.

"I am currently not in a position to get married. I still have to take Passion Industries to the highest peak in the fashion world,"Sam replied.

Their conversation ended when Sam received a call from his secretary. So he immediately rushed back to his work. While Sophie was determined to get him married as soon as possible.

In a way both Janet and Sam found themselves at a crossroads, their worlds becoming increasingly entangled with those around them. Would the letters remain their only connection, or would fate find a way to bring them together despite the growing complications?