When the sun began to set, Mellisa reluctantly said goodbye to Lilia. But the model was no less reluctant to let her sister go. She kept trying to buy time by giving advice to Mellisa.
"You have to remember to send me a message when you arrive in Jakarta, okay."
"If you are in trouble, you can tell me anytime. Don't try to bear it alone!"
"Then, stop working as a debt collector. The job is too dangerous for you and I'm always worried about you."
"Umm...then...what's more..."
Lilia muttered while frowning, trying to find something else to say.
Jean sat smoking a cigarette on the sofa opposite them. The man leaned against the back of the sofa with his legs folded. His gaze was always fixed on Lilia and the corner of his mouth lifted into a small smile. Anyone could see the overwhelming love in Jean's eyes for his wife.
Mellisa had to refrain from commenting on Jean's appearance. Where did the arrogant, cold-faced tyrant go?!
Then Mellisa's gaze fell on her hand, which was tightly held by Lilia. Even though their palms were both wet with sweat, the younger sister still refused to let go of her grip.
Mellisa glanced at the setting sun outside the window and sighed. She pinched Lilia's forehead with her free hand, "Okay, okay, I'm not a kid anymore! You don't need to worry that much, Lilia." She protested.
Lilia rubbed her forehead while blinking her eyes in confusion, "It's not that I'm not worried, it's just…" The woman's voice faded as she tried to find an excuse to defend herself.
Mellisa's heart felt warm when she saw her sister worrying about her. For the first time in many years, there was someone who was sincerely worried about her.
"You don't have to worry about me." Mellisa gently assured Lilia, "I've lived alone for years. I know how to take care of myself. You have to be careful, Lilia."
After saying that, Mellisa hugged Lilia tightly one last time. Her eyes became hot again when she realized that the woman in her arms was her younger sibling.
During the 22 years they lived together in the house of the Irwan family, Mellisa and Leila never had a close interaction like siblings. Mellisa never hid her dislike for Leila. She couldn't explain why, but Mellisa always looked down on her 'sister'. No matter what Leila did or said to her, Mellisa always gave her a cold stare.
However, when Mellisa met Lilia, she felt a completely opposite emotion. She just wanted to protect her sister's smile and see her live happily, without being burdened by any problems. Mellisa regretted the fact that she could neither see Lilia when her sister was born, nor carry her tiny body to sleep. If possible, Mellisa would like to hear little Lilia calling her, "sister" in an innocent, childish voice.
The two siblings didn't know each other when they were kids. But that just made Mellisa and Lilia appreciate the time they spent after their meeting.
Mellisa let go of Lilia and turned to face Jean. The man sitting on the opposite sofa also looked back at her, as if he knew that Mellisa had something to say to him.
Mellisa took a deep breath before opening her mouth, "Lilia is my sister. Please treat her well." She said bluntly.
Even though Mellisa had seen for herself how much Jean loved Lilia, she still felt the need to say it. She would never forgive that man if he dared to make Lilia sad.
Jean studied Mellisa's stern expression for a moment before finally nodding, "Of course." His answer was calm.
Mellisa clenched her mouth when she heard that short answer. Her eyes flashed with nervousness. She realized that Jean's attitude towards anyone other than Lilia was very different. That man only showed a gentle and loving side to Lilia alone. When he was in front of other people, Jean looked cold and arrogant. The man made other people reluctant to approach him.
Even though Mellisa intended to warn Jean as Lilia's older sister, the man's coldness made her courage shrink. She had a feeling that if she dared to take advantage of her position as Lilia's older sister to act casually, Jean wouldn't just be silent. Mellisa didn't want to lose her life yet!
*****
When Mellisa left the hotel, she insisted that Lilia shouldn't come with her. In the end, Lilia compromised by letting Clifford escort Mellisa to the nearest train station.
Mellisa stood dumbfoundedly on the train platform. Her gaze was fixed on the train ticket in her hand. When she got out of the car earlier, Clifford suddenly handed her this ticket. The bodyguard stated that it was Jean who booked the ticket.
But what surprised her was the name written on the ticket. There was the name 'Mellie', the name she had been using for the past five years. Even her ID number matched the fake ID she was using now.
The woman could only tremble at the realization of Jean's ability. Since the accident five years ago, Mellisa had been disguising her identity by using a fake ID. But Jean could find the information easily as if turning his palm. The man was even more terrifying than she imagined.
Somehow, such a scary man fell in love with her younger sister. Even though Mellisa wanted Lilia to stay away from that dangerous man, she wasn't sure that Jean would let her sister escape.
Mellisa sighed while putting on her sunglasses. Since she had almost the same eyes and eyebrows as Lilia's, she could cover that resemblance just by wearing sunglasses. Mellisa was also wearing her jacket, but her movements suddenly stopped when she felt something strange. The hood of her jacket felt heavier than usual.
Mellisa frowned and reached into the hood. Her eyes widened as she felt something was stored there. When she pulled the object away, her mouth fell open wide. No wonder the hood felt heavy! There was a pile of one hundred thousand cash and a credit card stuffed in there!
Mellisa's eyes burned as she stared at the unexpected gift. She didn't know when they had hidden these things in her jacket, but Mellisa was deeply touched.
Since that accident, she had always been short on cash. She didn't even have enough money for her daily meals. However, Mellisa would rather suffer from a lack of money than ask other people for help. She didn't want to betray her pride by begging.
Normally, Mellisa wouldn't accept help from people who pitied her. She felt ashamed if she had to rely on the mercy of others. But this money and credit card from Lilia didn't make her feel so. The reason laid on a post-it note attached to the cash. The note was written in Lilia's neat handwriting.
"Sister Mellisa, I brought too much cash on this trip. Too much cash will trouble me, so please help me out by spending it. You don't need to return it, but I know you won't just accept it. So you can pay me back after you return to the Irwan Family. Oh yeah, the credit card doesn't come with a password."
Mellisa didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she read the note. Before she could decide, her old cell phone vibrated.
[Lilia]: "Sister Mel, we are sisters. And we have to help each other, right?"
Mellisa could only smile faintly reading the message. Lilia was probably worried that her sister wouldn't accept the present, so she sent this message.
[Mellie]: "Yep, you are my little sister!"
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om