After Lilia and Sasha shook hands, the atmosphere in the room was filled with an awkward silence.
Vivi stole a glance at Sasha. Since the first time she saw that woman, Vivi immediately disliked her. Even though Sasha tried to be friendly and polite, she couldn't hide the arrogance in her eyes. As a fellow woman, Vivi knew Sasha looked down on Lilia.
Meanwhile, Jean never took his eyes off Lilia. As he watched the two of them finish shaking hands, the man turned his head towards the dining table.
Lilia noticed the direction of Jean's gaze, "It's okay, you can eat here. Me and Vivi will look for another place." She said. She didn't want to sit at the same table as them and hear them reminisce about the past.
As Lilia started walking towards the door, Jean immediately grabbed her arm, "You don't need to move. We can all eat together here."
Even though Jean said it in a stern tone that didn't accept rejection, Lilia remained adamant.
"I really don't mind. I don't want to bother you." She said.
"You are not bothering us." Jean replied instantly.
The two of them stared at each other for a few moments. The three other people seemed to be able to see electric sparks flying between them. But finally Lilia gave up and let the man pull her towards the dining table.
Sasha watched the two blankly. Supposedly, this dinner was held to welcome her who had just returned to Indonesia. Yet she never expected Jean to ignore her as if she wasn't even there. Even worse, she had to share their dinner with the woman who had won Jean's heart.
The truth was, the only reason Sasha returned to Indonesia was Jean. When she heard that Jean was getting married, she left her studies abroad and returned as soon as possible.
Sasha had loved Jean for years. Even though her love was only one-sided, she could never forget that man. Everyone knew she liked Jean, but Sasha didn't dare to confess her feelings to him. If Jean found out about this love and rejected it, Sasha would lose her position as a 'childhood friend' and only become one of many 'women who chase after Jean'. She couldn't take that risk.
After years of being by Jean's side, Sasha became convinced that he would never be attracted to any woman. So many women had tried to ingratiate themselves with him, but Jean's heart had never been moved. Sasha believed that she was the only woman who could stand beside Jean.
But she was wrong. Her hope had completely shattered this time.
The shock and hurt that was clearly visible on Sasha's face caught Tom's attention. The man secretly let out a long sigh. His eyes were watching Sasha full of sympathy for his childhood friend.
As Jean sat on the cushions, he realized that the other three were still standing still, "What are you doing? Come here and sit." He called.
Sasha jumped by Jean's voice and hastily put on her graceful smile again. She walked over to the table and intentionally sat beside Jean. Then Sasha said, "Tom, you can sit on that side, while Lilia's friend sits on the other side. I don't mind sharing a place with Jean."
The dining table was square and was normally only used by four people. Since Lilia was already sitting on one side, Sasha deliberately chose to share a place with Jean.
Lilia looked as if she wasn't bothered by the seating arrangement, yet she gritted her teeth secretly. Lilia knew that the woman was showing off her identity as Jean's childhood friend and trying to provoke her. She also knew that she should just ignore her. Her marriage to Jean could not be canceled by anyone. However, Lilia was still annoyed to see someone else occupying her position beside Jean.
Vivi frowned when she saw Lilia's emotionless face. She knew her best friend enough to know that Lilia was burning with anger inside. Vivi opened her mouth to protest Sasha's arrangement, but Jean preceded her.
Jean stood up saying, "You don't have to share my space with me. I'll just move next to Lili."
Hearing that nickname, Lilia automatically turned to Jean. Her black eyes widened in shock. Only William had ever called her by that name. After they broke up, Lilia thought that name would only bring pain and bad memories. But when Jean said it, she felt a warmth fill her heart.
Lilia's mood immediately improved and she shifted to give Jean a seat without being asked.
Jean smiled softly at Lilia's easy to understand attitude. He sat down beside his fiancée, but immediately frowned, "Don't drink too much ice. It's not healthy for you." Jean said while confiscating Lilia's drink.
The dinner took place in an awkward atmosphere. Nobody tried to start the conversation, they were all focused on their plates. Only Jean spoke occasionally, telling Lilia to take more food or forbidding her from eating anything unhealthy.
After they finished eating the main course, the waitress served a pot of hot tea. Jean poured the tea for Lilia, "Drink this tea. You ate too much spicy stuff earlier." He said firmly.
Lilia accepted the tea glass, but she protested, "You're overreacting. I didn't eat that much…"
Since this was Lilia's last night before leaving for Milan, she pampered her stomach by eating some spicy food that she liked.
Jean sighed at the woman's stubbornness. Even so, his gaze never left Lilia. Both of them were already immersed in their own world.
Sasha, who was forced to see their friendship from the start of the dinner to the end, seemed unable to take it anymore. Her hand was wringing the hem of her shirt until it was almost torn off.
Vivi pretended not to see the romantic situation and focused on the melon on her plate. She occasionally stole glances at the two lovebirds with envious eyes. Jean Widjaya was truly an ideal man! She also wanted to fall in love with such a great guy!
But if Vivi was given an offer to switch places with Lilia, she would definitely refuse right away. Jean's love was too much for her. Just imagine, that guy had been keeping an eye on Lilia since the first time he stepped into this room until now! Jean also never stopped advising Lilia to balance her diet, or get her healthy food. To be honest, Vivi was in awe of Lilia who didn't mind all the excessive attention.
Meanwhile, Tom took the teapot from Jean and poured it for the two women. He felt sorry for Sasha, but nothing could stop Jean when he was like this.
It was nine o'clock when the torturous dinner ended. They left the restaurant together. Jean and Lilia walked side by side at the very front, while Tom accompanied Sasha behind the two of them, and Vivi walked the back.
After facing the heated situation inside the restaurant, the cold night breeze was refreshing to Lilia. She stretched and closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the breeze.
"Hm?" Suddenly Lilia felt something covering her shoulders and she immediately opened her eyes. Jean had covered Lilia with the suit he carried, "Jean, I'm not cold."
"This is so you don't catch a cold." Jean replied directly, "I won't let you leave tomorrow if you get sick."
Lilia couldn't argue and pulled the suit closer. As she did so, she could feel a knife-sharp gaze piercing her back. Lilia didn't have to turn around to know who was glaring at her like she wanted to tear her apart.
Jean suddenly wrapped his arm around Lilia's waist before pulling her closer, as if he could feel that gaze too. Lilia looked up and looked at the man in surprise. If Jean did this, Sasha would hate Lilia even more.
But after thinking about it for a moment, Lilia realized that her fiancé was trying to make Sasha give up through his actions which showed, "There's no chance for you."
Lilia smiled a little. Her heart was moved by Jean's action. Vivi might think that Jean's love was too much, but Lilia liked the man's attention. She knew Jean was doing all of this for her own good. No wonder Sasha couldn't forget that man!
Behind them, Tom gave Sasha a worried glance. As expected, Sasha's expression was pathetic. The woman's eyes filled with tears and she looked like she was about to start crying.
Tom sighed and called out to Jean, "Bro, how are we going to get home?"
Hearing that, Jean and Lilia both turned around. To be precise, Jean refused to let go of his embrace so Lilia was forced to turn around too.
Sasha hurriedly adjusted her expression and forced a smile, "We finished dinner, but you guys stick still glue. You guys really are a great match!"
Her words sounded like a joke to lighten the atmosphere, but Lilia could catch the jealousy and ridicule in her voice. She turned to Jean, "Vivi took me here earlier, so I'll go home with her."
Jean's sharp gaze immediately focused on the woman who was walking alone behind their group.
"L-Lilia!" Vivi felt a threat from Jean's gaze and she hurriedly took out her cellphone, "Sorry, but it turns out I have to get back to the office for overtime!"
Lilia gave Vivi a look of disbelief. Did she think that reason was enough to fool her?!
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