Clifford stopped the car in front of Jean's house. When he glanced at the rearview mirror, he saw Lilia was still sound asleep in the back seat. The man was considering whether he should bring Lilia in or call his boss.
But before he could decide, Jean had appeared from inside the house.
When the man saw Lilia was still sleeping, Jean went straight to his car. He opened the door before lifting Lilia's body into his arms as carefully and gently as possible.
Clifford got out of the car to help Jean, but the boss gave him a glare as if to prevent him from approaching. Clifford could only be silent and watched Jean bring Lilia into the house. He stood waiting beside the car to give his report on Merry.
However, after waiting for a long time, Jean didn't show up. It looked like the boss had forgotten that he was still there. Clifford sighed and decided to postpone his report. He didn't know what Merry's purpose was to keep her identity secret, so he'd better find out first before reporting it to Jean.
*****
Jean led Lilia into the house with great care. He went up to the second floor with slow steps so as not to wake the woman.
Even though Jean had tried to be careful, Lilia's sleep was disturbed by the shaking as the man climbed the stairs. Lilia stirred in her sleep and rubbed her cheek against Jean's chest. Her arms also hugged Jean's neck even tighter, making Lilia look like a kitten who was spoiled by her owner.
Jean smiled softly at her behavior. Lilia's body in his arms felt so light and fragile, making Jean worry that he would hurt Lilia if he hugged her too tightly. Jean's mind recalled the time when Lilia slapped him and he let out a long sigh.
The man didn't know exactly when Lilia started to change, but lately his fiancée had been avoiding him. Jean knew he should have given Lilia time until she was ready to tell him, but Jean was running out of patience. He was fed up of seeing Lilia's stiff expression and awkward attitude. He missed her big smile and sweet laughter.
Jean entered the room prepared for Lilia and laid her on the bed. He studied the woman with a mixture of relief and disappointment. He was relieved that Lilia didn't wake up, and yet he also hoped that he could hug Lilia's warm body a little longer.
Asif she could hear Jean's thoughts, Lilia suddenly reached out and hugged Jean's arm tightly. The man was stunned by Lilia's bold action. He could feel his arms touching Lilia's soft chest whenever she took a breath.
Jean looked away and took a deep breath to calm himself down. He tried to grab her arm, but Lilia gripped his arm even tighter. The man gave up and sat on the bed, his dark blue eyes glued to Lilia's face. The softness in Lilia's gaze made the man's cold and arrogant expression melt away.
Jean could only show such a gentle expression in front of Lilia alone. Just like Lilia who didn't need to pretend when she was with Jean.
Jean leaned towards Lilia, as if to kiss her. But Lilia chose that moment to open her eyes.
The first thing Lilia saw was Jean's handsome face up close. She blinked a few times in confusion, trying to convince herself that this was just a dream. But the man's face was still before her eyes.
"Already up?" Jean asked, smiling faintly.
"Huh?" Lilia felt that her brain had not fully awakened, "Um ... what ...?"
Lilia shifted away from the man, but something in her arms refused to move. When Lilia lowered her gaze, she finally realized that she was hugging Jean's arm tightly.
"S-Sorry!" Lilia hurriedly let go of Jean's arm before sitting down and inching away from the man. Her face was red as a tomato and she didn't dare to look Jean in the eye.
"Did you sleep well?" Jean asked calmly as if nothing happened. However, Lilia could hear the laughter in the man's voice.
"Why didn't you wake me?!" Lilia protested while avoiding Jean's gaze.
Lilia suddenly felt the soft touch of the man's hand. She turned her head and saw Jean tidying her matted hair. Jean's expression was colored with tenderness as he did that.
"Because I do not want to." Jean replied.
The man's answer brought guilt into Lilia's heart. She faced Jean before bowing deeply.
"Jean, I really do ask—"
"Sorry about yesterday."
The man interrupted Lilia's words. She looked up in surprise and saw Jean also leaning over her.
"I'm annoyed that you seem to get along with Sis Claire and keep talking about her in the car, even though you're being cold to me lately. I'm sorry for suddenly kissing you without asking permission first." Jean said, his voice was full of regrets.
Lilia hurriedly shook her head, "No, I should apologize for slapping you. Does your cheek still hurt?" She asked worriedly.
Jean looked up before smiling faintly, "Don't worry, I barely feel anything."
For a moment, the two of them fell silent. Lilia was trying to find a topic of conversation to break the silence when Jean spoke again.
"Lilia, did I do something wrong?" He asked.
"Huh?" Lilia looked at Jean in confusion, 'What is he talking about?'
"If I do something that upsets you, just tell me. I will not repeat it again." Jean said in a pleading tone, "You can nag, yell, or even hit me, but don't shut me out. I'll do anything for you, so… "
'Don't leave me.'
Jean didn't say the last part, but Lilia got the point. Lilia's heart tightened with guilt. The man looked so frail and helpless, unlike the arrogant and dominant man Lilia had known so far.
For the first time since the last few days, Lilia approached Jean voluntarily. She wrapped her arms around the man's waist and pressed her face against Jean's broad chest. The familiar scent of spring gave Lilia the comfort she longed for.
"You didn't do anything wrong." Lilia muttered while rubbing Jean's back, "Sorry I avoided you lately. I was so focused on myself that I didn't even think about how you felt. I'm really sorry, Jean. I will do anything to make up for my mistake." She continued.
Lilia felt Jean slowly relaxed in her arms. After hesitating for a moment, the man finally hugged Lilia back.
"If there is something that worries you, tell me." Jean whispered in Lilia's ear, "I will use my family's resources and destroy whoever tries to harm you."
Lilia laughed and beat Jean on the shoulder playfully, "This isn't something that can be resolved by force!"
"Then what worries you?" Jean asked so casually that Lilia almost answered automatically.
"...I can't tell you yet." Lilia said after being silent for a moment, "But I just need a little more time to resolve my worries. I will definitely tell you, so wait until that time comes."
Her conversation with Claire yesterday had given Lilia the confidence to try to trust Jean. However, she did not have the courage to make a decision about this marriage.
Jean let go of Lilia and studied her for a moment. The woman's face did look brighter than before. But there was still one thing that was still on Jean's heart.
"Lilia…" Jean began, but he lost the courage to say,
'Do you have a special relationship with Alfred Ricardo?'
Jean wasn't sure he could hold back if Lilia's answer didn't go the way he wanted. He might unleash his anger toward her and hurt her. They just made up— Jean didn't want to worsen their relationship and make Lilia hate him.
"Hm? What's the matter, Jean?" Lilia tilted her head with a confused expression. Her movements looked so cute in Jean's eyes.
"Since you asked me to wait, you must have prepared the compensation for me, right?" He grabbed a lock of Lilia's hair and kissed it.
"W-What kind of logic is that?!" Lilia protested with flushed cheeks.
Jean's heart tickled by Lilia's innocent behavior. He gave a strained smile and said, "Do you know how long I haven't been able to sleep thinking about what mistake I did to you? Didn't you say that you would do anything to make up for it?"
"Y-Yes, but…" Lilia's voice disappeared as her face grew even redder, "Oh okay!" She drew closer to Jean.
The man could feel a soft, warm sensation brush his lips for a few seconds. As Lilia moved away, Jean cupped her face with both hands.
"That's not enough." He whispered before pulling Lilia closer, deepening their kiss.
Lilia let herself get carried away by the atmosphere and tightly hugged Jean's neck. For a long time, only the sound of their kissing and sighing could be heard in the room.
Jean ended the long kiss and let Lilia go. The man's dark blue eyes were filled with emotion, like a stormy sea. His gaze fell on Lilia's red lips which looked full and inviting. Jean was again tempted to taste her sweet lips, but he struggled to hold back.
Lilia looked away with a red face. Every time she took a breath, she could still smell the faint mixture of cigarette smells and the spring smells of Jean. Lilia's hand played with the edge of the blanket that was lying nearby, a habit she always did whenever she was nervous.
Jean cleared his throat before speaking in a hoarse voice, "Have you had dinner?"
Lilia jumped at Jean's voice, "No, I didn't have time to eat." She replied, shaking her head.
Jean chuckled and stroked Lilia's hair, "Take a shower first before going down to eat." He said before leaving the room.
Lilia stared at Jean's back until the man disappeared from her sight. After the door closed, Lilia curled up on the bed and tried to calm her raging heartbeat.
*****
Half an hour later, Lilia just finished taking a shower. She returned to her room and found a nightgown that was neatly folded on the table. The nightgown was navy blue and made of silk so it felt comfortable to wear.
Lilia just blew her hair quickly before going down to the dining room.
She saw Jean sitting at the dining table, one hand holding a cigarette and the other holding the iPad. The man seemed focused with his iPad screen.
When Jean heard Lilia's footsteps, he put down the iPad. His forehead frowned when he saw Lilia's hair which was still half wet, "Aren't you using a hair dryer?"
Lilia shook her head, "No, it will dry itself." She was too hungry to care about her wet hair.
Jean seemed to understand Lilia's feelings and made her sit down, "Then, eat first."
There was a bowl of white porridge decorated with chopped green onions. Lilia sat down and started eating the dish. To her surprise, the porridge tasted better than she had imagined.
"Did you make this?" Lilia asked while continuing to eat hungrily.
Jean leaned back on the chair and nodded, "Do you like it?" The man was trying to sound relaxed, but Lilia could see the anticipation in Jean's gaze.
Hence, Lilia smiled broadly and gave him a thumbs up, "Very delicious!"
When Lilia finished eating, it was already eleven o'clock in the evening.
The woman let out a sigh of satisfaction before getting up from her chair. She glanced at the chair Jean had been sitting on. The man disappeared upstairs while carrying his iPad as Lilia was about to finish eating.
'Maybe Jean is busy with work.' She thought to herself.
Lilia cleared the dining table and put her cutlery in the sink. She was about to turn on the water tap when Jean returned to the dining room.
"Just leave it there. Sister Mei will wash it up tomorrow." Jean said.
Lilia turned towards Jean with a hair dryer in his hand.
"Come here, I'll dry your hair." Called the man.
Note:
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