During this period, Mike did not dare to move too much from his seat beside Mellisa. So he could only link his finger with Mellisa's fingertips, then whisper the fun things they experienced when they were young.
Mike started with a story about fond memories of when they were kids and got into trouble together. He told how they teased Andrew together, and then got angry together too. Then Mike began to tell how his life had been for the past five years when he thought Mellisa was dead.
He spoke carefully, his voice trembling from time to time as Mike recalled the past five years. When he finished, he just sat by the hospital bed and looked at the woman he had loved for years.
Mike gently rubbed Mellisa's finger and prayed with all his heart that the woman would immediately open her eyes. He was willing to give anything just to hear Mellisa's voice once again.
However, Leonard's figure came back to Mike's mind. He couldn't hide the jealousy and fear he felt when he met that man. Leonard knew everything Mellisa went through when the woman disappeared for five years.
Mike was afraid that the woman he loved had changed and didn't remember him anymore. That fear left Mike in a dilemma. On the one hand, he wanted Mellisa to wake up and smile at him again like before. But on the other hand, Mike was afraid that Mellisa would change and didn't recognize him anymore.
Lilia stood on the other side of Mellisa's bed listening to Mike's whisper. Her eyes began to fill with tears and she couldn't bear to bother him. So Lilia turned around, then grabbed Claire and left the ward.
Lilia started thinking about what would happen when Mellisa woke up. At this time, no one knew what choice her sister would make. Would Mellisa choose Mike or Leonard?
For Mike, Mellisa was his childhood sweetheart. For Leonard, Mellisa was the wife he wanted. But what about Mellisa's feelings?
Lilia was determined in her heart that she would respect Mellisa's decision. She would support whoever Mellisa chose. Then if her sister didn't want to choose anyone, Lilia would help her ensure that those two men wouldn't bother her anymore. Lilia wouldn't let anyone get in the way of the happiness that Mellisa deserved!
*****
The night was getting late. The usually starry night sky now looked cloudy, as if it had been splashed with black ink. The night sky aptly portrayed everyone's mood in the hospital.
Neither of them left the hospital. They all waited for Mellisa to wake up with anxious hearts. Leonard had suggested that Lilia and the others return to their hotel while he accompanied Mellisa. But the firm refusal forced Leonard to give in.
Finally, Leonard opened two rooms next to Mellisa's ward so they all could rest. It was one of the longest nights of their lives.
The restlessness they felt did not only envelop the hospital. The same uneasy atmosphere also hung over the Irwan Family's house.
The meeting in the back hall ended around ten at night. Now the backyard seemed deserted as all those who had joined the meeting already left. But Grandpa Simon was still sitting in his chair in the back hall. His sharp, timeless eyes were now shrouded in sadness and disappointment.
Randell and Trisa had been evicted from the Irwan Family house until the investigation on them was completed. Meanwhile, the Pangestu Family couple had arranged to settle down in the west wing of the main house.
The sound of wood clashing caught Simon's attention. He turned and saw his old friend, Grandpa Anton, placing a chessboard on the table. The old man grinned at Simon jokingly, "Come on, let me beat you up in chess, while you're in a bad mood,"
Simon put his hands on the armrests and frowned. A second later, a faint smile graced his wrinkled face. He shook his head and said, "What makes you so sure that you can beat me in a bad mood, old man? Don't forget that you're not as young as before,"
Instead of being offended, Anton bursted out laughing. "If you can still talk like that, that means I don't need to worry about you," he said while taking the chess pieces and arranging them on the chess board.
Simon was silent and watched his old friend assemble the pieces.
"Hey, Simon." Anton broke the silence again after a while. "Every family has its own problems. You might think that your family has looked fine over the last few years. But the fact is, there are snakes lurking around your family for a long time,"
Simon didn't answer immediately. He took his white piece from the top of the chessboard and studied it for a moment. Then he put the piece two boxes from its original place, officially starting the game.
"...What do you think about the commotion tonight?" Simon asked.
When Anton saw the step Simon was taking, he shook his head and smiled. For a moment, his eyes filled with the same sadness that Simon felt. This old man had such a close relationship with the Irwan family that he considered Simon's grandchildren like his own.
"You guys... how can I say it..." Anton scratched his head while trying to find the right words. "You are too concerned with appearance. As long as someone is cute and polite in front of you, that's enough. You don't try to find out more about that person."
Anton's words rang in Simon's ear, causing his fingertips to tremble and nudge one of the pieces. The chess piece fell onto the board with a loud sound.
Anton sighed when he saw the look of surprise on Simon's face. "I'm sure you must realize this, my friend. You and your family have hurt Mellisa and Lilia with your treatment. Over the years, your family's overly indulgent attitude towards Leila has gone too far. All of you are the ones who gave that girl the courage to be arrogant,"
Simon opened his mouth to refute Anton, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized the truth of what the old man said. Finally, Simon closed his mouth again with a hard expression.
"Tell me, why are you spoiling her in such a way? Is it because she was accepted into a top university? Just because she won a few races? Or is it because a 'brilliant' granddaughter like her is the pride and the sole representation of the prosperity in your family? Simon, you know none of that justifies your favoritism," Anton said, his voice softening at the end of his sentence
"…I know." Simon said that between his teeth.
"Five years ago, Mellisa had an accident, but she didn't show up until now. Come to think of it, that car accident that year was really weird. If she managed to escape death, shouldn't she go back to her family? But look what happened,"
Anton crossed his arms and continued his words.
"Mellisa actually hid herself for five years. And did you see the reaction of the parents? The two of them still insisted on protecting Leila. Mellisa may not be a perfect child like Leila, but she is still their child. Really, out of your whole family, only Jenny knows how she's supposed to raise a child," Anton sighed.
Simon's gaze was fixed on the chessboard, but his mind was processing the advice given by his old friend.. Maybe it's time for Simon to clean up the mess in the Irwan family.
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