Lilia looked a little disappointed, but she still nodded. She knew that Jean didn't want her to worry too much about Sasha's disappearance.
Jean took his cigarette case from the table. He had just pulled out a cigarette when he remembered what happened last night. The man looked at Lilia hesitantly, his hand that was holding the cigarette stuck in midair. It seemed that the woman didn't like the smell of cigarettes, but Lilia never told him that.
The man was thinking about smoking outside when Lilia approached him. Before Jean could react, his wife had lit his cigarette with a lighter.
"I've discussed with Mr. Louis yesterday." Lilia said lightly, as if to show that she wasn't bothered by Jean's smoking habit, "After filming tomorrow, I will have two days off. So I can go to Sarangan with you."
Jean smoked the cigarette Lilia had lit. The man exhaled his cigarette smoke with a dreamy gaze, as if he was staring at a far away place.
Lilia pulled back the lighter, then tilted her head when she saw Jean's strange expression, "When was the last time you went to Sarangan, Jean?" She asked.
Hearing the question, Jean lowered his cigarette. He focused his gaze on Lilia's face, which was colored with curiosity. The man paused for a moment before finally answering, "14 years ago."
"Ohh, then, it's been a long time since you last visited there huh!" Lilia said. She did a mental calculation and found out that Jean went there when the man was 12 years old.
Wait a minute, 14 years ago?
Lilia suddenly lunged at Jean and grabbed his arm tightly. The woman leaned towards her husband with eyes shining with excitement, "I also last went there 14 years ago! What a coincidence, Jean! What are you doing there? Are you also on the summer camp program?" The chirp was enthusiastic.
Lilia's enthusiasm was so great that Jean moved away from her. Luckily, Lilia immediately regained consciousness and corrected her position. But she still looked at Jean with sparkling eyes.
Lilia didn't expect that Jean also went to Sarangan 14 years ago. To be honest, Lilia's impression of the place wasn't that great. At that time, her school placed the students in a village in remote Sarangan. Being used to city life, Lilia felt that the village was poor, slum, and far from civilization.
Her memory of the place was only vague and filled with unpleasant things, including when she fell ill and had to be rushed to the hospital. Besides that, she also had a chance to meet a street child covered in blood—
"What are you thinking?"
Jean's question interrupted Lilia's past memories. The man grabbed Lilia's chin and looked up until they faced each other. Jean studied his wife's face closely. Lilia's expression had been changing since earlier, as if she was following a flashback of her memories.
But at one point, Lilia suddenly frowned with a confused expression. She looked like she was trying to remember something that was missing from her memory. What, exactly, was she thinking?
Lilia's gaze slowly focused on the man's face. She smiled gently and replied, "No, I just can't wait to meet your old friend."
Jean's eyes flashed sharply when he heard that. Without warning, he lowered his head and crushed Lilia's lips. Jean's kiss was deep and aggressive, as if he was trying to leave a trail that the woman couldn't forget.
"… Hah… Jean… wait— hmph…!"
Lilia was trying to say something, but Jean ignored her and returned to sealing Lilia's lips with his. Jean's kiss felt different from usual. The woman could feel Jean's fear and anxiety, as if he was worried about something. What in the world could scare the Widjaya Family's fourth son?
*****
The sun had just reached on top of their head when Clifford sent word.
When Jean received the call from Clifford, Lilia was leaning against the man's chest reading the script. She straightened up, the script in her hand got forgotten. Lilia looked at Jean on the phone with anticipation.
Jean listened intently to Clifford's report over the phone. After a few seconds, the man replied, "Okay, I'll be there."
As soon as Jean hung up, Lilia immediately asked, "Is Sasha okay?"
Even though Lilia didn't like Sasha, she didn't expect that woman to be hit by anything. Lilia's eyes were clear and pure, like a starless night sky. She did not take delight in the suffering of others, even though that person might deserve it.
Jean narrowed his eyes as he met Lilia's eyes. His wife had a heart so pure that it dazzled him. The man couldn't help himself and kissed Lilia again hungrily.
Lilia tried to escape, but Jean hugged her tightly and didn't let her escape. She thrashed and even hit the man's shoulder, but her efforts were in vain. When Jean finally let go, Lilia's lips felt swollen and numb. She glared at the man who showed absolutely no guilt.
"Do you want to go along?" Jean asked, looking as if he was about to devour the woman.
Jean's gaze made Lilia feel like a game, and that man was the hunter! Lilia immediately shook her head vigorously. It had just to be her feeling! Jean had a hidden disease, so the man wouldn't touch her!
After Lilia calmed down, she nodded, "I'll come with you." She said, rubbing her numb lips. Then she remembered something, "Ah, is she alright?"
"She's fine." Jean replied casually, "She was just kidnapped."
Lilia started nodding as her brain was just digesting the meaning of Jean's words. Just kidnapped?! Jean made it sound like kidnapping was common!
*****
The car that carried Lilia and Jean rode along the cobbled road to a residential area filled with flats. The area used to be occupied by economically weak communities who did not have permanent residences. However, the government intended to develop the area, so that the residents were relocated to other places.
Lilia stared at the scenery outside the car's window. Even though most of the flats were torn down, there were still several buildings that stood firm. Out of the crowd and neglected areas like this were perfect places to hide abductees. She wondered how Jean's subordinates were able to find Sasha in such a large area.
When the cobbled road became more and more damaged and difficult to pass by vehicles, they had to get off and walk. Their driver was a member of the Widjaya family security team Lilia had met in Milan before.
The three of them walked along the path which was rocky and uneven. Their journey was further complicated by the many broken bricks and pieces of wood covering the road. Jean took Lilia's hand to help the woman walk. Even though his wife had put on her sneakers, she still had a hard time keeping her balance on an unstable road like this.
They continued walking until they met Clifford and the four other members of the security team. The black uniforms that the five of them wore stood out among the rubble.
When Clifford realized they were coming, he immediately came over, "Young master, Madame Lilia." His greeting was respectful.
"What's the situation?" Jean asked while surveying his surroundings with great caution.
"Miss Sasha is still a little dizzy, but her clothes and belongings are still complete. She will be fine." Clifford explained Sasha's situation with a flat expression. There was absolutely no pity or sympathy in his voice.
"Who did it?" Jean immediately asked to the point.
However, Clifford didn't answer immediately.. In a brief moment, his gaze was fixed on Lilia.
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