Mike's ambiguous action shook the peace at the dinner table. Some looked surprised, panicked, and even angered. Except for one person.
Lilia continued to gobble up her food without noticing the cold war that had just happened. Her gaze was fixed on the grilled ribs piled up on her plate. These were the most delicious grilled ribs she had ever eaten, and Lilia was determined to finish it all.
Leila lowered her head and fell silent after the plate was rejected by Mike. Yet she was silently observing Lilia with narrowed eyes. Leila didn't like it when Mike kept staring at the model in awe. The woman wrung her hands under the table. Even though Leila tried to keep her expression neutral, she couldn't hide her jealousy.
Leila couldn't accept it because Mike had never treated other women gently and attentively before this, but now deliberately put a plate of ribs in front of Lilia. Of all the women he could choose, why did Mike choose her?
The daughter of the Irwan Family sighed. She didn't expect that she could meet Lilia in a city as big as Jakarta. Destiny was unpredictable.
Claire watched Leila with a gentle smile. She assumed that Leila was still feeling burdened by the fight she had with Mike earlier. To Claire, that young, red-haired woman was too kind for her own good.
Leila was lovingly raised by the Irwan Family, so she was smart, gentle, and graceful as a person. But when it came to Mike, she seemed to be losing her temper. Claire concluded that Leila was blinded by her love for Mike.
*****
After the awkward dinner ended, Jean and Lilia said goodbye to everyone. They would go home in a car driven by Clifford, because Andrew and Claire intended to take Leila home.
But before the two of them got into the car, Andrew stopped Jean for a moment to talk to him. The two men moved away from the car.
"Jean, do you need help developing your business in Jakarta?" Andrew offered.
For Andrew, this was the best thing he could offer Jean as an apology for his younger brother's behavior. With the support of the Austin Family who had extensive connections and great influence in Jakarta, Jean's project would run more smoothly.
But Jean shook his head instead, "Thanks, but there's no need." His answer was emphatic.
Andrew was silent for a moment. He considered trying to change Jean's mind, but the seriousness on his face made Andrew cancel his intention. He had a feeling that nothing he said would change Jean's mind.
"Alright then." Andrew nodded, "If you need help, don't hesitate to talk to me, okay."
"Thank you." Jean smiled faintly.
The two men exchanged a few more words before finally separating. Jean and Lilia got into their car, while Andrew got into his own.
As Claire said earlier, the woman sat in the driver's seat. She would drive on their way home. After Andrew got into the passenger seat, Claire couldn't help herself.
"What were you talking about with Jean earlier?" She asked curiously.
"Ah, nothing important. I just asked him not to hesitate if he needed my help. I know how hard it is to get into the real estate field in Jakarta, so I want to help pave the way." Andrew explained as he fastened his seat belt.
Then the man turned to the back seat. Mike sat in the right corner of the car, while Leila sat at the other end. His younger brother leaned back in the chair with his legs folded and his eyes closed. Mike paid no attention to Leila, who repeatedly stole glances at him. Leila's expression was tinged with anxiety and her hands were squeezing the hem of her skirt.
"Mike, why don't you go home in your own car?" Andrew asked in surprise.
The young man slowly opened his eyes and smiled mischievously, "Haven't we seen each other in a long time? Don't you want to take your one and only brother home?"
Andrew's hand was itching to beat his younger brother, but luckily Claire immediately changed the subject.
"But I heard that Jean has secured two plots of land in Jakarta." Claire said while starting the car's engine, "Maybe you offer your help too late."
"Are you sure?" Andrew's attention immediately focused on Claire.
The woman glanced at her husband, "Why am I not sure? This is Jean we're talking about. Do you doubt Jean's ability?"
Andrew hurriedly shook his head. It wasn't like he doubted Jean's abilities— he was afraid of the young master! Jean just developed his business in Jakarta and now he had a land that he could work on? That man moved too fast!
*****
On the way home, Lilia sat with Jean in the back seat. But her mind was still on Leila's familiar appearance. She was so deep in thought that she didn't realize that Jean had called her name several times.
"... Lilia?"
The touch of Jean's hand on her shoulder brought Lilia back to reality. She blinked and realized that the man was looking at her worriedly.
"Are you alright?" Jean asked anxiously.
Lilia nodded and put on a cute smile, "I am alright…"
"I don't want to hear that." Jean interrupted Lilia's words and held her face with both hands, "You know that you can say anything to me, right? You don't need to pretend in front of me." He said softly.
Lilia's fake smile faded and she let out a long sigh. Then Lilia leaned her head on Jean's shoulder, "I really can't hide anything from you." She said with a weak laugh.
"You do not need to do that." Jean stroked Lilia's long, silky hair, "Didn't I say that I would destroy everything that makes you sad? So tell me what's bothering you."
Lilia closed her eyes, enjoying the man's gentle touch. After being silent for a while, she finally decided to trust Jean.
"…Okay. But before I say it, I want to ask you something. Jean, do you feel that Leila's appearance looks familiar?" Lilia opened her eyes again when she asked that.
Her gaze was fixed on Jean, glistened with hope. It seemed she really wanted other people to say that they felt the same way. That the feeling wasn't just a reflection.
Jean raised an eyebrow. Unfortunately, he didn't feel the same way. However, the man could not say that directly, "Who do you think she looks like?" He asked, being careful not to hurt her feelings.
Lilia frowned and was silent for a moment. Then she shook her head with a frustrated face, "I also don't know. It's just that, I feel like her face looks very familiar. Maybe… maybe it's just my feelings…" At the end of her sentence, Lilia's voice turned soft.
Jean watched Lilia closely. He didn't like seeing his wife lose her confidence like this. The man patted Lilia's head.
"I think you are too tired today. Take a break first and try to think back slowly. Maybe you can remember better after that." Jean suggested.
Lilia nodded, "... Yes, I'll do that." She answered.
She pulled away from Jean and leaned back into the car seat, then closed her eyes. Actually, Lilia already had her own conjecture, but she needed someone else's opinion. In her mind, a familiar figure appeared.
Lilia felt quite certain that Leila's appearance resembled that person!
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