Vivi ignored Lilia's gaze and turned towards Jean, "President Jean, please take Lilia home, okay!"
While saying that, Vivi deliberately glanced at Sasha while smiling broadly. She felt satisfied that she managed to repay the woman in the kimono for her seating arrangement earlier!
"Don't worry about that." Jean nodded. He secretly corrected his gaze towards Vivi. His fiancée's best friend was reliable!
"Then, I have to go now. Good night all!" Vivi turned around and rushed to the car park.
Sasha gritted her teeth as Vivi provoked her, but she didn't want to ruin her image as a graceful woman in front of Jean. Sasha turned to the man and said softly, "Jean, you can take the car and drive Miss Lilia home. Tom and I will just take a taxi."
The proposal not only made Sasha sound like an understanding person, it also provoked sympathy from her listeners.
"No need." Said Jean short.
Sasha looked at Jean, eyes sparkling with expectation. As Sasha thought, she had a special place in that man's heart. But Jean's next words shattered that hope.
"I've told Kenny to pick me up. Tom can drive you home in his car." Jean continued.
The man turned around without waiting for their answer and returned to walking with Lilia. The two of them crossed the highway before getting into the black car that was waiting for them.
Tom glanced at Sasha without saying a word. He had liked her for a long time, but he also knew Sasha couldn't stop loving Jean. Tom had tried to forget the woman, but all his attempts failed when Sasha suddenly returned to Indonesia.
There was a saying that love is complicated. For Tom, that description was not quite right. Love hurt and made zero sense! He sighed and took out his cigarette box. The familiar smell of cigarettes made his mood a little better.
Meanwhile, Sasha continued to watch Jean's car drive away until it disappeared from view. It was as if she could hear the sound of her heart breaking into pieces. Suddenly someone tapped her head.
"Everyone's gone. You don't need to pretend anymore." Said Tom while patting Sasha's head awkwardly.
Sasha turned to the man and smiled bitterly, "Is my face that easy to read?"
"So easy." Tom puffed out his cigarette smoke, "Your feelings are literally reflected on your face. I'm sure even that insensitive Jean can notice."
Tom was sure Jean already knew that Sasha loved him, but he didn't say that on purpose.
Sasha wiped her teary eyes, "I know. I was just shaken and not ready to see it all. Next time I will look even better."
'Especially in front of that woman' Sasha added to her thoughts. She didn't want to give in to Lilia just like that. She would prove that she was better than that woman and won Jean's heart!
*****
Silence enveloped the atmosphere in the car. Lilia said nothing but greeted Kenny when she got into the car earlier. She rested her chin on her hand and stared blankly out the window. Lilia was so lost in thoughts about the incident with Sasha just now that she didn't realize that Jean had repeatedly called her name.
"... Lilia?"
Suddenly Jean's face appeared right in front of Lilia. The man was so close that Lilia could see her face reflected in Jean's blue eyes.
Lilia automatically moved away from that handsome face, "W-What?"
"Are you still mad at me?" Jean asked in a serious tone.
"…Huh?" Lilia couldn't understand what Jean meant. Since when was she mad at that man?
"Sasha is just my childhood friend. I swear that there was nothing between us. I don't want you to misunderstand me just because of that."
Lilia could see the sincerity and honesty in Jean's eyes. The man looked so afraid that Lilia would misunderstand that it made Lilia laugh out loud.
She was jealous of Sasha because she knew about Jean's childhood that Lilia didn't know. She was also irritated when she saw her fiancé being seduced by another woman. Lilia wondered if this was how Jean felt when she was busy texting Alfred in the middle of their dinner what time of day. She regretted not taking Jean's jealousy seriously at that time.
However, Jean's honesty regarding his relationship with Sasha made all of Lilia's negative feelings disappear in an instant. If she still doubted that man after feeling all his affection and care all this time, Lilia wasn't worthy to stand beside Jean.
Lilia was actually surprised that Jean caught her anger earlier in the restaurant. She was sure that she had controlled her expression as best she could, but the man could read her heart still.
"Jean, I trust you. I won't misunderstand you just because of a small incident like this." Lilia said solemnly.
Even if Jean had heard that woman's words, he wouldn't calm down until he was sure Lilia was completely honest with him.
To Jean, Lilia's face was like an open book. He could tell her feelings just by observing her expression. Even if Lilia was trying to hide something, Jean's instincts were sharp enough to tell.
Jean studied Lilia's face carefully. Her pair of eyes were as clear as the night sky and only reflected seriousness. Jean concluded that his fiancée was neither angry nor misunderstood him. The man felt that he could breathe easier, as if the boulder pressing down on his chest had been lifted.
Jean immediately pulled Lilia into his arms.
"Wait…! Jean! Kenny is also here…! " Lilia tried to push the man away with a flushed face, but as usual, Jean never listened to her.
Kenny who was in the driver's seat shrank his body even more. He just hoped that his cold-hearted boss wouldn't kick him out of the car for ruining the atmosphere.
Hearing that, Jean hugged Lilia tighter and kissed his fiancée's forehead. But he didn't stop there. The man's lips moved down to Lilia's temples, eyes, and ears before whispering, "If you keep fighting, I might do something even worse than this."
At that instant, Lilia stopped struggling. Jean was satisfied that the woman didn't reject him anymore, but he also felt a little disappointed when Lilia gave up so easily.
"... Jean, have you been worried that I will misunderstand because of what happened at dinner last night?" Lilia's question took Jean away from his thoughts.
"Yes." Jean answered honestly, "I'm always worried. Especially because you look angry."
Lilia touched his face, "Am I that obvious?" She muttered without knowing that she was asking the same thing as Sasha earlier.
"No, your face didn't show any expression earlier. That's what makes me think you're angry. Usually you always show your emotions, no matter how small they are." Jean explained patiently.
"Hmm ... then?" Lilia looked up and met Jean's eyes, "What are you going to do if I misunderstand?" Lilia tempted him as she smiled mischievously.
"If that happens ..." Jean's long fingers stroked Lilia's cheek, "... I will cut all my ties with Sasha." Jean said in a relaxed tone, as if he were talking about the weather. However Lilia could see from the man's gaze that he wasn't joking.
If Sasha heard what Jean just said, she would definitely pass out. It turned out that the title of 'childhood friend' that she was so proud of meant absolutely nothing to Jean!
Lilia was surprised by Jean's cold answer, "Don't do it! She's your best friend too, just like Tom and the others, right?! I don't want to make you have to choose between me or your best friend!" Lilia protested, "If I do that, you better get rid of me!"
Jean laughed at Lilia's fiery protest. He placed his forehead on Lilia's shoulder and closed his eyes. Lilia's distinctive flowery scent tickled his nose. Jean couldn't imagine life without this woman.
"If I had to choose between you or my family, I would still choose you." He whispered.
Lilia's face turned red as a tomato, "I-That's not what I meant! Don't you feel ashamed to say such romantic lines?!" She stuttered, unable to find the right words.
"I see what you mean." Jean laughed at Lilia's funny behavior, "But I believe you will never be a selfish and suspicious woman." Jean said calmly.
The man could feel his fiancée sighing deeply, "…Cheating. If you say that, I don't know what to answer... "
While the two of them were immersed in their own world, Kenny stepped on the gas pedal even deeper. He wanted to quickly escape from this romantic atmosphere!
*****
Half an hour later, the black car stopped in front of Lilia's house. The woman got out of the car and said goodbye to the two men who had escorted her.
"Get enough rest tonight. Don't forget to let me know when you arrive in Milan." Said Jean. His fingers played the ends of Lilia's black hair as if they were reluctant to part.
The woman laughed, "Geez, you sound like my mother. You've said it many times, so I can't forget." Lilia teased.
Jean smiled faintly, "Be careful there." He reminded her.
Lilia nodded and turned around. But after walking a few steps, she stopped. Jean looked at the woman in confusion. Suddenly Lilia turned and ran towards Jean, then kissed him on the cheek.
"Ah…" Jean was stunned by Lilia's bold action.
"This is so you don't miss me while I'm gone." Lilia smiled mischievously.
Without waiting for Jean's response, Lilia turned around and ran into her house. Jean was silent for a moment before finally laughing at his fiancée's behavior.
In the driver's seat, Kenny took a deep breath. Finally he was free from this awkward situation!
*****
The next morning, Lilia arrived at the airport at three in the morning.
She wore comfortable clothes in the form of a sky blue blouse and white trousers. Pulling her suitcase the same color as her clothes, Lilia stepped into the international flight section.
"Sis Lilia! I am here!"
Hearing that voice, Lilia turned her head and saw Merry, her personal assistant. The young woman waved her hand vigorously.
Lilia approached her assistant, smiling faintly, "Morning, Merry. What time did you get here?" Lilia greeted her. She saw that the woman's eyes were red like she lacked sleep.
Merry immediately took over Lilia's suitcase, "I got here at half past three in the morning. I heard that the security check process for international flights is quite long, so I came early so I wouldn't be late!" Merry said cheerfully.
"It's too early! Aren't you sleepy?" Lilia glanced at the petite woman in surprise.
Merry finished putting Lilia's suitcase on top of the luggage cart and started pushing it, "Absolutely not! It's my first time going abroad, so I'm so excited that I can't sleep!" She said with sparkling eyes.
Note:
-Please support my other title in the webnovel application "Hidden Marriage With My Imperfect CEO"
Th𝓮 most uptodate nov𝑒ls are published on freew(e)bnove(l).𝓬𝓸𝓶