Chapter 7: SWEET FACADE

~ Amora Estate, Austin~

The night sky was aglow with bright city lights. The pale crescent moon shone like a silvery claw in the night sky. In the dark every night, a lean figure stood by the window with hands tucked into his pants pockets. The cool night breeze gently blew the silver locks of the magnetic god-like figure and the whole scene looked so mysterious and breathtaking.

The sound of the opening and shutting of the door interrupted the silent night.

"Here are the files you requested for young master," a serious baritone spoke.

"Hmm," came the cold reply as he strode to the desk in the exquisite study and sat down majestically like a king. He picked up the files from the table, opened them, and screened them carefully. "Lee Kiaraa, huh?" he muttered silently.

"Yes, master, the name Sana Lee is just a pseudonym," the man replied.

"You may leave," the silver-haired master muttered again. The man bowed slightly and quietly left the study room.

The silver-haired glanced at the moon which reflected into those pair of silver cold eyes as if there was a conversation ensuing between them. His eyes shone as brightly as the moon and the moon didn't back down either, shining with the same intensity like there was a silent war going on to see who will shine brighter.

"Lee Kiaraa," he whispered again still staring intently at the moon. He remembered those long silky hair as black as the midnight and cherry red lips. His lips made a slight curve.

"You have grown more interesting," his eyes had a dark glow in them as he carefully thought about how to uncover that sweet facade of hers.

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~Lee Mansion, Seoul - South Korea~

Nestled in the woodland, as humble as any rock face in these parts, was a mansion. Its windows were as big as shy eyes, large to welcome any ray of sun.

The mansion was all concrete and tall glass windows that gives a wonderful view of the mountains, a chance to relax and take in the changing of the seasons in an exquisite chair.

Each corner of the walls was beautifully carved and the designs were made with complete care. Greeneries around it complemented its beauty more. Stained glass, sharply arched windows, vaulted ceilings, and ornate furnishings all plays to the mansion's grand yet mysterious appearance.

Each level of the seven-story mansion offers delightful details that speak of Lee's massive wealth. Its front drawing-room alone spans 35 feet and features an ornately carved fireplace, a grand staircase, and mosaic tile floors. A skylight fashioned from stained glass, a solarium, and a formal dining room that seats fifty guests are among its other opulent features.

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Kiaraa glanced at the early morning sun from the french windows in her grandgirl style bedroom.

'Why would you disturb my sleep?' she asked the sun seemingly annoyed as if wanting a reply.

She walked over to the french windows and entered the terrace. Her gaze landed on the green scenery around the mansion and it gave her a fresh feeling. It calmed her temper a little bit as she walked into the bathroom to take a bath.

Last night, she had arrived late so she didn't bother to see her father with the excuse of 'being exhausted.'

She chuckled at her own childishness and got into the bathtub. The warm bath was intended to calm her nerves so she spent a lot of time there. She dried her hair as soon as she was done and stepped into her bedroom-sized walk-in closet.

After wandering through piles and piles of clothes, she finally settled in for a thin-strapped white cami top, high waist fitted jeans, denim jacket, and topped it off with a pair of chunky sneakers. She styled her long hair to one side and put on a mild flower-scented perfume to feel calm.

As soon as she stepped out of her room, a pair of tiny hands clasped her legs together, restraining her from moving further. She looked down and saw a pair of big doe transparent black eyes staring at her cutely. She gave her a doting smile and bent down to carefully pat her hair.

"Kiyomi sweetie how are you doing *nae sarang?" Kiaraa asked and the six year old girl gave her a dimpled smile which Kiaraa adored so much.

Kiaraa chuckled lightly and pinched those chubby cheeks.

"*Unnie, when did you get back? what took you so long? didn't you miss me? " the little girl asked as she pouted lightly.

Kiaraa couldn't help but chuckle again and was about to reply when a feminine voice interrupted her,

"Kiyomi dear don't stress your big sister, she just came from a long trip, now allow her to say hi to mama."

Kiaraa looked up to see the familiar face and a smile crept up to her face. Kiyomi pouted lightly and finally stepped aside.

"Yes mama, but later I will spend the whole day with unnie, ok?" she said and pointed her little cute fingers at her mother.

"Yes baby, big sister will take you everywhere," Kiyomi gave gave a huge grin and skipped away.

They both sighed as they admired her. Lee Kiyomi was her six-year-old adopted sister and she was the joy of the house. Kiaraa's parents adopted had her when she was still a baby after a certain accident and ever since then she has been the sunshine in their dark lives.

Her mother then turned to her, "Nae Sarang, you look so beautiful, why don't you come often? don't you miss mama?" she asked as she pinched her cheeks like she was a little kid.

Kiaraa was taller than her mother and looking at her face, she didn't age a little bit, she still looked all vibrant and beautiful like she was in her early thirties.

"Mother I missed you," she expertly avoided her questions and hugged her tightly.

"Oh Ara my child," her mother exclaimed, she broke the hug and kissed Kiaraa on her cheeks.

"Where's father," Kiaraa asked abruptly,

"Oh, your father is in his study room, go say hi to him and get back immediately, we have lots of shopping to do, I need you to see all the fashion trends kids your age are pulling off these days, it's satisfying," she replied and Kiaraa looked into those pair of glittering amber eyes just like hers.

She had taken a lot of traits from her mother, from fashion sense down to looks. She smiled lightly and nodded at her mother before walking in the direction of her father's study room.