When Lilia left the film studio, it was already six in the evening. But the sky still looked bright, as if it's still dusk. So Lilia intended to invite Merry to take a walk around the hotel while looking for dinner.
The two women headed towards the front gate of the studio. Merry was busy looking for a route to their destination on her cell phone so she did not realize that a car stopped in front of them.
Lilia pulled Merry's arm to stop walking while watching the car warily. No one would be foolish enough to carry out an outright kidnapping like this, but there was nothing wrong with being careful.
"What's wrong, Sis?" Merry asked while turning to Lilia. The assistant seemed oblivious to the presence of a strange car in front of them.
Before Lilia could answer, the car door swung open, revealing a muscular figure. The man's gaze fixed for a moment on Merry before turning to Lilia.
The head of Jean's security team greeted Lilia politely, "Madame Lilia, Young Master sent me here to escort you while you are in Jakarta. I'll also arrange your transportation, so you don't have to worry about anything."
A chuckle escaped Lilia's mouth when she heard that. Jean might not be able to accompany her here, but he had sent Clifford to look after her! Even though they were separated by thousands of kilometers, Lilia could still feel the man's love and care for her.
"Clifford?! Why are you here?!" Merry exclaimed in surprise when she finally noticed the man in the jet black uniform. She ran over to Clifford and looked at him with gratitude. The sight took the large man by surprise, "Luckily you are here too! Then I don't have to wait for Lilia to finish filming alone!" She said with sparkling eyes.
Clifford tried his best not to laugh at that. The corners of his mouth lifted and his gaze softened as the man met Merry's gaze, "…Of course."
Without wasting any more time, the two women got into the backseat of the car while Clifford took the driver's seat. Clifford explained that this car was a rental car, but the inside of the car was as clean and comfortable as a new car.
"I heard there is a lot of good food in the town square!" Merry said cheerfully as she patted Clifford on the shoulder, "Get us there, Clifford!"
Even though they were in a strange city and a new environment, Merry didn't mind as long as they could have a good time!
Merry planned to always accompany Lilia wherever she went. She had to take care of her and made sure no other man dared to approach Lilia while they were in Jakarta, especially since Jean wasn't here to protect her. Lilia was officially Jean's wife and Merry wouldn't let anyone interfere with their relationship!
Of course, Merry was unable to accompany Lilia once the shooting started. But she innocently thought that everything would be fine because that woman would always be surrounded by a film crew. If Merry found out that William was also involved in this shoot, she might force Lilia to let her accompany the model during the shoot!
Just as the car was driving, Lilia heard the sound of her cell phone ringing. She took out the cell phone and read the number on the screen. She didn't recognize the number, but the number came from Jakarta. Lilia hesitated for a moment before deciding to pick up the phone.
"Hello? Who is this?" Lilia asked carefully.
"Hello, Lilia!" The voice on the other end of the phone sounded so cheerful and excited, "Jean told me that you were in Jakarta, huh?"
"Sister Claire!" Hearing that woman's warm voice made Lilia smile automatically. She missed Jean's older sister who was always full of enthusiasm, "Yeah right, I just arrived in Jakarta today."
"In that case, good! It's been quite a while since we last met." Claire said enthusiastically, "Do you have free time tonight? I will pick you up for dinner together!"
Lilia glanced at Merry and found the young woman nodding supportively, "Okay, what restaurant? I'll meet Sister Claire there."
"You don't have to bother! I heard you stayed at the Western Hotel, huh? We're already on our way there, really." Claire snapped.
"But…" Lilia frowned. She felt guilty for bothering Claire to pick her up.
"Don't hesitate! We're family, right?" Claire warmly said.
"Sister Claire ..." Lilia was touched by that woman's words. This was the first time someone had said that to her. Even her own family did not act like family to her.
"Besides, it wouldn't be good for a beautiful young woman like you to hang out alone in Jakarta! No one knows what will happen to you!" Claire advised her like a big sister advised her little sister, "How am I going to explain it to Jean if something happens to you?"
Lilia chuckled, "Okay, I won't force you anymore, Sister Claire. I'll be waiting at the hotel."
After ending their conversation, Lilia slowly lowered her cellphone and grasped it tightly. She and Claire had only met once, but the woman had given her so much. Jean's sister listened to her complaints patiently and gave her support to be more confident. Through Claire, Lilia finally understood what it's like to have a family that genuinely loved her.
"Sis Lilia?" Merry carefully touched Lilia's shoulder, "Are you going to have dinner with other people?"
Lilia snapped out of her thoughts and nodded, "Clifford, please drive me to the hotel. I'm going to have dinner with Sister Claire. You and Merry can go out to dinner as originally planned." She instructed.
Merry looked at Lilia a little sadly. She wanted to spend time with Lilia, but she couldn't be selfish right now. She could save the opportunities to have fun with Lilia for later.
"Sis Lilia, when are you going back to the hotel? Clifford and I can pick you up when you finish dinner." Merry offered.
But Lilia shook her head, "No, I'll call you if I really need to be picked up. Just enjoy your time there."
*****
Clifford drove Lilia to the hotel before leaving with Merry. Less than five minutes later, Claire appeared to pick her up. A Mercedes car stopped in front of Lilia who was waiting in front of the lobby. A tall woman got out of the passenger seat and went straight to her. The woman greeted Lilia with a tight hug. Even though Claire only wore a comfortable t-shirt and jeans, her movement still looked elegant.
"It's been a long time since I saw you! How are you, Lilia?" Asked Claire, her face adorned with a broad smile.
"I'm fine, Sis. I was planning to meet you when I went to Jakarta, but I never thought you would call me first." Lilia answered as she smiled back.
Behind Claire, a man with brown hair got out of the driver's seat. The man was Andrew, Claire's husband. Andrew stood beside the car lighting his cigarette, but his gentle gaze never left Claire's figure. Lilia felt that Andrew reminded her a little of Jean.
Meanwhile, Claire was watching Lilia from top to bottom with a critical gaze, "Lilia, why do you look thinner than before? Didn't Jean take care of you well? Don't be afraid, tell me everything! I will beat that child up for you!" Claire fiercely insisted.
Lilia couldn't help herself and laughed out loud, "It's just your feeling, Sis. Jean treated me so well, that I felt like I gained a few pounds because of it!"
"Is it true?" Claire squinted with a contrived skeptic eyes, "I bet you were just trying to defend him! I'll tell you, once Jean is busy with his job, he doesn't care about anything else!"
Claire got on her hips while shaking her head. Lilia guessed that Claire had experienced that herself, so she didn't want Lilia to experience the same thing.
"If he doesn't take good care of you, you can just tell me right away! I'll bring you here and you can stay with me! You don't need to feel sorry for that child!" Claire said mercilessly.
Lilia just smiled at Claire's angry expression. She felt sorry for Jean for being suspected by his own sister.
Behind Claire, Andrew shifted uncomfortably as he averted his gaze. The man also sympathized with his brother-in-law.
"Enough talking about Jean!" Claire grabbed Lilia's hand and pulled her into the car, "Let's go! I will let you taste the most delicious food in the whole Jakarta!"
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