Lilia looked at Jean in surprise. This was the first time that this man had shown such concern for someone other than her. She didn't want to leave Jean alone when the man was clearly shaken by the bad news. Her husband was always by her side whenever she needed him. She also wanted to do the same for Jean.
Apart from that, Lilia also wanted to meet the old man who had received her call 14 years ago. People generally wouldn't believe a little girl's words, but Uncle Hans believed her words. Thanks to the butler, the Widjaya Family was able to save Jean from their captors.
Lilia squeezed back Jean's hand that was still wrapping hers. "I'll come with you," she said firmly without hesitation. "I don't want to leave you alone."
For Lilia, her husband was more important than her shooting job. Even more so now, when Jean was struggling with sadness. After all, Lilia still had some time off from what Louis gave her.
In Sarangan, they stopped briefly to change to the car Jean used to drive. Clifford drove them to Surabaya, while his partner took care of the RV they had left behind. Jean's head bodyguard did not hold back and sped off the highway, until they arrived in Surabaya at exactly twelve o'clock in the afternoon.
During the long journey, Jean told Lilia about Uncle Hans little by little. This year, the butler would turn 78 years old. The old man was part of a family that had served the Widjaya Family for generations. Uncle Hans was born and raised in the Widjaya family home, and now he was going to die in the same house.
The butler had served Jean's father, the previous head of the family, for nearly 60 years. Uncle Hans was already like a second father figure to the four children of the Widjaya Family, so they all rushed back when they heard the news about the old man.
After a plane crash that killed the Widjaya couple and their second son, Uncle Hans played a major role in stabilizing the Widjaya family. The old man helped James cement his position as the new head of the family among his relatives. Not only that, Uncle Hans also helped restore the position of the Widjaya Family as one of the richest conglomerate families in Indonesia.
The butler had dedicated his entire life to serving the Widjaya Family. No one in the Widjaya Family dared to look down on Uncle Hans, even if he was only a butler.
*****
When Lilia and Jean arrived in Surabaya, the sky was full of dark clouds. The wind was blowing hard, as if trying to uproot trees from their roots. Though it was still the middle of the day, the sun was completely hidden behind the clouds.
As their car drew closer to the Widjaya Family's main house, Jean became increasingly silent. The man sat in the backseat staring out the window without saying a word. The last thing Jean said to Lilia was that Claire was on her way to Surabaya with Andrew. But Lilia didn't blame Jean for being so quiet. The man had lost both of his parents at a young age, and now the man with a fatherly figure to him was dying.
Along the way, Lilia continued to hold Jean's hand and moved closer to his side. She didn't say anything, but she showed her support by rubbing the man's hand. Jean didn't respond to her gesture, but Lilia felt a little relieved that her husband didn't pull his hand away.
*****
The main house of the Widjaya Family was so large that it deserved to be called a mansion. The mansion was located in one of the most elite housing estates in west Surabaya and occupied the land for several houses at once. A beautiful garden surrounded the mansion and gave an elegant impression.
Their car stopped in front of the steps leading to the front door of the mansion. Several servants rushed out to greet them, but Jean didn't have the patience to wait for them. He opened the car's door himself, then helped Lilia out of the car. Jean immediately brought his wife into the house without paying attention to the stuttering servants.
Lilia's eyes widened as she looked at the mansion's front porch. The marble floors were polished to a shine, while the walls were covered in soft pastel colored wallpaper. The décor didn't look quite as fancy as the Hiroshi Family mansion, but it exuded the elegance of a respectable family.
Jean took Lilia's hand as he crossed the wide front porch and turned into the living room. The woman was again stunned by the beauty inside there. Lilia's eyes were immediately fixed on the various antique paintings on the walls. All of the paintings were from the same artist, showing the owner's love for the artist's work.
Then Lilia's gaze swept across the furniture in the room. The sofa and table were custom made in Italian style, but the décor looked minimal. Lilia had the impression that the people decorating this room weren't the type to flaunt their wealth.
"Finally you guys came!" James, Jean's eldest brother and head of the Widjaya Family, greeted them from the sofa.
The man was holding a cigar in hand, but he didn't light it. James just played the cigar between his fingers. Next to him, Irene also greeted them with a small nod. The woman's face looked tired and pale.
Jean and Lilia stopped in front of them. The fourth son of the Widjaya Family nodded back at his brother's wife. "Sis Irene, we've returned," he politely greeted.
James's hand stopped and he almost squeezed the cigar. Why did his own brother ignore him as if he wasn't here?!
Jean's attitude made a faint smile appear on Irene's face. "Welcome back. You must be tired after a long journey." She warmly replied.
Lilia was restlessly listening to their conversation. She unconsciously tightened her grip on Jean's hand. The woman had only met James and Irene once, when the two families met to discuss their marriage. Now she felt guilty that she and Jean had never visited after their wedding.
"Brother James, Sis Irene, nice to meet you again." Lilia politely greeted the two.
Normally, Jean would notice the nervousness in Lilia's voice, but this time his mind was filled with Uncle Hans. The man asked, "Where is Uncle?"
James sighed and pointed at the second floor. "In his room as usual. Uncle just came back from New Zealand last night. The doctors there tried, but… they couldn't cure the disease," he explained.
The smile on Irene's face faded as James said that. She looked at Jean with a sad expression mixed with resignation. "Uncle Hans is waiting for your arrival. How about you guys go up and visit him?" she suggested.
Uncle Hans loved the four siblings like his own. But everyone knew that Uncle Hans loved Jean, the youngest child the most. The butler often played with Jean and gave him snacks. No one knew why Uncle Hans liked Jean so much.
Perhaps, the old man was giving him more attention because he was the youngest. Or because the parents didn't really care about their youngest son. Whatever the reason, Jean learned to love and care for others from the old man. To him, Uncle Hans felt more like a father than his own father.
"We will visit him.." Jean nodded while answering Irene.
Visit freewe𝑏no(v)el.𝘤𝑜𝓂 for the best novel reading experience