Five minutes later, the car stopped in front of the open and quiet complex.
Rows of trees could be seen standing towering against the wind. Lilia and Jean got out of the car first and before having a chance to take a look at the surroundings, a line of servants quickly came out of a villa in the middle of the complex.
They all welcomed them in uniform. The old man walking in front had gray hair and glasses. Even though he was getting old, he still walked calmly and upright.
This was Axel, the most senior housekeeper of the Mayer family. He was a soldier who had served the Mayer family for a long time. Then, along with Grandpa Caleb's resignation at that time, Axel came to the Mayer family to become a caretaker. Alex was his son.
"Father!" Alex got out of the car and said with a serious face.
After Axel nodded slightly, he looked at Lilia for a moment. His eyes reflected the truth he felt in his heart. Even though his face looked worn from aging, his gaze was still as sharp as ever.
"Miss Lilia, we've been waiting for you!" Axel warmly greeted, nothing strange could be heard from his voice.
After finishing his sentence, he hurriedly greeted Jean politely. "Good evening, Young Master Jean."
Alex stood up and whispered at a low volume. "This is my father, the housekeeper of Mayer's residence. "
Lilia felt the warmth from the greeting. She smiled and nodded slightly at Axel. "Thank you for the welcome Uncle Axel."
Axel smiled and bent his eyes, his sharp eyes fixed on Lilia's figure, and his smile deepened after he looked around.
Sure enough, just as the old man said, Lilia's temperament and strength was like that of the Mayer family.
This time, Mellisa's car also stopped in front of the villa's courtyard.
When she and Leonard got out of the car, Axel looked dazed, and pity began to emerge from his face. In his sharp eyes, he paced back and forth muttering, "Miss Mellisa ..."
Axel was Caleb's confidant, he naturally knew that Mellisa was one of his favorite grandchildren.
After knowing what happened to her from that old man, Axel felt very uncomfortable. It was a shame that the incident had to happen to her.
It didn't matter if this young lady didn't return to the problematic Irwan family.
It'd been a long time since she came here, Mellisa finally set foot in the Mayer's house once again. Her heart, however, still felt so complicated.
Everywhere she looked, she was surrounded by a building, a park of flower and green lawn, and all of these were still familiar to her.
She was so familiar with everything that when she closed her eyes, she knew that there must be a cold-resistant nasturtium on the fence next to the villa.
As for the villa where Grandpa Caleb lived, the outer wall on the northwest side was covered with vines.
Mellisa closed her eyes and took a deep breath, sniffing the unique aroma of the herbs. It was only after she heard Axel's voice that she opened her eyes. She met his sharp gaze and smiled with her clear lips. "Uncle Axel, long time no see."
After the family lost her for such a long time, Axel almost shed tears from hearing these words.
He liked the figure of his young lady who was free, innocent and sincere. But now that Axel saw her, the girl's eyes seemed cold.
He pressed the corners of his lips and continued nodding. "Long time no see, Miss Mellisa."
"Father, please invite these guests in," Alex reminded him from the side, indirectly saying that the sky in Jakarta at the end of November was really cold.
These two young women had come all the way from Surabaya, so it wouldn't be good to keep them out in the open for too long.
Hearing that voice, Axel quickly moved away and stretched his hand towards the door with a hint of emotion. "Forgive my old self, I almost neglected my duties. Please come in."
Lilia and Mellisa walked side by side, while Jean and Leonard walked behind them.
Two separate rows of servants stood at the front of the villa to greet them. As they passed, the servants said in unison, "Welcome back Miss Lilia and Mellisa and welcome Miss Lilia and Miss Mellisa's husband."
Because of this sentence, Mellisa's walking speed was a little messy.
Leonard walked towards the door with his head raised!
That's right, his identity was confirmed at this Mayer family's house, so he wasn't afraid of losing his name later!
After the four of them were invited to the main living room, they discovered that the one who welcomed them was Stefani, and old man Caleb was not there.
The interior of the villa was decorated in Chinese style. The entrance hall was decorated with brown-red solid wood furniture. The room was filled with amazing splendor. On the background wall of the living room, calligraphy and paintings were hanging from it.
At this time, on the biggest sofa chair, Stefani was holding a Sancai's teacup while sipping her tea. Hearing the footsteps, she placed the teacup on the square tea table beside her and smiled as she raised her eyes. "The girls are back."
Axel walked at the very front, and after Lilia, Mellisa and the others were invited to sit down, the servants came and brought hot tea.
Stefani saw Axel still standing and she pointed to the empty chair next to her. "Axel, sit down too. They're all from your own family, don't be so stiff."
Axel glanced at her, then he nodded slightly and sat down on the opposite side.
After a moment of silence, Stefani started the convo with a loud voice. "Don't get too tense like this, this is your own home. Do whatever you want, don't hesitate."
"The old man has been summoned since this morning and he hasn't returned. He knew you were coming so while waiting for him, he told me to cheer you up. He wants you to enjoy your visit," she softly continued.
After speaking, she took a sip of tea gracefully. The light flickered a little, and her eyes fell to cover her intention.
"When will grandpa come back?" Mellisa asked.
Stefani held her teacup and shook her head with a smile. "Unfortunately, I don't know yet. I think something happened at the presidential palace. He was asked to take care of it and someone picked him up this morning."
"You know that our family can't ignore political matters even though we are retired. That's why your grandfather's services are still needed in providing advice, the old man himself is actually tired too."
Mellisa pulled up the corners of her lips, and after looking at each other for a moment, she fell silent.
At that moment, Axel's gaze swept the people in front of him, then he looked at Stefani and suggested, "Madame, they're probably tired because they left so early in the morning. Why not let them rest first? We've also prepared the rooms. What if we gather again when Master comes?"
Stefani did not hesitate and nodded slowly. "Fine with me. I happen to be tired too, and after sitting here all morning, my lower back pain strikes again."
After Axel nodded, they left the main living room one by one.
The calm was restored, Stefani was seen still sitting and putting down the teacup. The smile on her cheeks gradually receded.
The two granddaughters with different surnames were still able to the old man's attention. Why didn't he give that little affection to Reynold?
The 12 years old boy was the son of Caleb and Stefani conceived through IVF technology.
Two days ago, the old man planned to make the two girls inherit two villas in the Mayer residence.
Although Stefani did not say this bluntly, she still felt a bit disrespected.
But she couldn't put her beak down. In the Mayer family house, she didn't possess the same strength as the real wife.
...
Axel slowly stopped at the cherry blossom garden at the back of the villa.
"Miss, this is a villa specially built for you by your grandfather. We must apologize for forcing all of you to stay here for a while. The villa next door is still under repair, you can move once its renovation is completed."
Axel pointed to the western-style building next to it. These two buildings had a very similar appearance and were very close.
Mellisa then said, "Thank you, Uncle Axel, sorry if our arrival caused too much trouble.. The four of us can stay here."
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