The hum of a hair dryer filled the living room of Jean's house.
Lilia sat on the sofa, while Jean stood behind her and dried her long hair.
On a typical day, when Lilia's schedule was very busy, she always left her hair care to the hairdresser. However, when compared to the fast and efficient hair styling technique, Jean's movements were gentler and more careful.
Jean's big hand combed Lilia's hair while drying it with a hair dryer. The man always made sure that he didn't hold the hair dryer too close to Lilia's head, so that his fiancée could feel comfortable. Every time Jean's fingers touched Lilia's ear, the woman always jumped in shock. Lilia wasn't the type to get tickled easily, but his touch made her feel tickled.
Most of the hairdressers Lilia worked with were male, but this was the first time Lilia felt so comfortable when she was drying her hair.
Jean was different from the others!
Ten minutes later, Jean finally put down the hair dryer. He finished his work neatly combing Lilia's long hair. Her hair felt silky smooth in Jean's hands, giving him the satisfaction of his hard work.
"Done." Jean said while caressing Lilia's hair.
Lilia lightly touched her hair that now felt smooth and easy to comb. Lilia turned to Jean with a big smile, "Thank you, Jean!"
Jean smiled back. He always liked Lilia's smiling face. If he could see her smile just by drying her hair, Jean would dry her hair every day.
"It's time for you to sleep." Jean said like he was talking to a child, "Aren't you going to Yogyakarta tomorrow?"
Surprise colored Lilia's expression, followed by guilt. She deliberately kept the invitation to the party from Alfred a secret, but she did not expect that Jean could still find out about it.
"Did Harold tell you?" Lilia asked in a small voice.
"... You can say that." Jean replied after being silent for a moment.
He had no intention of explaining to Lilia that Harold couldn't possibly tell him anything even if he begged.
"Clifford will drive you to Yogyakarta tomorrow. I heard that the scenery of Yogyakarta in autumn is very beautiful. Enjoy your time there, okay? But don't come home too late." Jean continued.
He purposely didn't ask why Lilia was keeping this from him. The woman's attitude was less awkward than before, but he knew Lilia hadn't really opened up to him yet. Even so, Jean had no intention of letting Lilia go. He had arranged 'surveillance' for Lilia in Yogyakarta.
"…Okay." Lilia nodded, relieved that Jean didn't ask her anything.
Lilia originally intended to go by fast train and return home the next day. However, if Jean wanted her to come home the same day, Lilia would follow his wish as an apology for keeping this matter a secret.
After saying good night to Jean, Lilia returned to her room. She laid on the bed and closed her eyes. But drowsiness did not come to her. She flipped over on the bed, her mind filled with Jean's pleading expression and their kiss earlier.
Outside the window, there was a sound of rain that was getting heavier. The soothing sound of rain finally helped Lilia fall asleep.
*****
The next day, eight in the morning.
After a night of heavy rain, the morning air was cool and the sky was clear without a single cloud.
When Lilia came down to the dining room, Jean had already left for the office. Only Sister Mei was busy in the kitchen. Lilia had toast and milk for breakfast before going by Clifford's escort to her job site this morning, Northpark Mall.
This morning, she was asked to come to attend the opening of a branch store of a well-known clothing brand at the mall.
When Lilia arrived behind the mall building, Merry was waiting for her. Lilia's assistant handed Lilia a change of clothes while observing the model's body carefully. Merry frowned. Lilia's face, neck, and arms were white and flawless. She opened her mouth to ask, but Lilia's make-up artist had come and started doing her makeup.
"Jeez Lilia, your skin is really good!" Praise Dylan, the MUA who Harold had always trusted to make up for Lilia, "I'm jealous! Just a little makeup is enough to make you look stunning." The man was chattering while adding blush to make Lilia's face look fresher.
"Thank you." Lilia replied with a smile.
When the man finished making up Lilia and started tidying up his makeup box, the model turned to look at Merry. She was surprised because her assistant kept looking at her as if she was looking for something.
"Merry, why do you keep staring at me?" Asked Lilia.
Merry jumped in surprise at the question. She glanced from side to side before approaching Lilia. The young woman whispered, "Did Sis Lilia and President Jean sleep together last night?"
Lilia looked back at Merry with annoyance. Since when did this assistant become gossipy about her love life?
"Sis Lilia, don't just stay quiet! Tell me, did you do it? Come on, I'm so curious!" Merry urged excitedly. The young woman's eyes lit up.
Lilia sighed and flicked her assistant's forehead, "If you have time to gossip about me, why don't you tell me where you went last night? Why didn't you say anything to me?"
Merry's face suddenly turned pale, "A-Ah, yesterday I came home anyway!" The young woman replied, her hand gripping the hem of her shirt tightly. "Clif — the driver who picked us up last night took me home. You fell asleep at that time, so I didn't wake you up."
Merry felt panic secretly. Did Clifford tell Jean about it?
The opening ceremony for the new branch store started at 10 sharp. The event would last for about an hour.
In front of the shop, the journalists and photographers who were invited to cover the event were ready with their cameras and recording devices. The fans of celebrities who attended this event also gathered while shouting the names of their idols.
The crowd got even more excited when Lilia and four other celebrities came onto the stage. After listening to the shop owner's speech, the five celebrities together cut the ribbon blocking the entrance.
Lilia glanced at the other celebrities. One of them was William Anggara.
Lilia was initially surprised to see that William was also invited to attend this event. The man finally stopped texting her, but Lilia knew William hadn't given up yet. If her ex tried to mess with her, she'd be ready to call security. Fortunately, William did nothing during the event. That's why Lilia was able to remain calm, even when they were standing side by side on the stage.
At the end of the event, the five celebrities took a photo with their fans in front of the shop. After Lilia finished with all her fans, she stepped off the stage. Merry immediately greeted her and gave her a cold drink.
The two of them intended to leave the place immediately, but a call from a familiar voice stopped them.
"Lili."
William stood before Lilia and Merry, blocking their steps. For a moment, Lilia felt that this situation was familiar. She remembered when William had just returned to Indonesia. The man was also blocking her like this when she came home from shopping at the mall.
Lilia observed the man's appearance. William looked very handsome in his customized black suit. His eyes were filled with complex feelings and continued to fix on Lilia, giving the illusion that only that woman was in William's view.
But Lilia never forgot. William's betrayal three years ago still loomed over Lilia's life today, and even interfered with her relationship with Jean. She wouldn't let that man mess up her life any more than this.
On the other hand, Merry frowned when she saw William's figure. She automatically took a step forward and stood in front of Lilia, as if protecting her from that man.
Lilia smiled a little at Merry's brave attitude, then she turned her gaze to William, "Do you have any business with me, Mister William?" Lilia's voice was polite and distant.
William gave Merry a quick glance, shooing the assistant away gently. But when Merry didn't move from his place, William finally said, "Can we talk for a moment?"
Merry's frown deepened and the young woman glared at William, "Sis Lilia, our car has arrived! Let's go!" Said Merry aloud.
'Who has time to talk to you? We are busy!'
William's expression turned irritated as he caught the hidden meaning behind Merry's words.
Lilia chuckled and patted Merry on the shoulder. Then she walked past William saying, "I have other business I need to settle. If Mister William wants to talk to me about work matters, please just contact my manager."
Merry trailed behind Lilia as she continued to glare at the man. Her attitude was like a kitten trying to appear intimidating.
Seeing Lilia's cold attitude, William's patience ran thin. He didn't want to lose the chance to talk to her!
"Lili!" William turned and grabbed her arm, "You know that's not what I want to talk about! Can't I talk to you about other things outside of work?" He asked pleadingly.
Lilia was forced to stop in her tracks. She shot him a look of disgust before yanking her arm out of William's grasp, "If you dare touch me again, I will report you on charges of sexual harassment." Lilia threatened in an icy tone.
William stepped back, his face turning pale.
"And my answer is— no. There is nothing I can discuss with Mister William outside of work." Lilia continued, not a trace of warmth or sympathy in her voice.
At that moment, William finally realized that Lilia really hated him. This woman in front of him was no longer the innocent girl who used to joke and laugh with him. Lilia was already a tough woman and didn't trust others easily.
Lilia turned and walked away. She was sure William would stop bothering her again after this.
"Do you know that Sara has signed a contract with Rina Calya?"
William's words stopped Lilia's steps. But only for a few seconds. Lilia kept moving on without looking back, as if William didn't say anything.
The man lowered his head, his expression filled with bitterness and disappointment. William knew he didn't deserve a second chance. He also knew that Lilia should blame him for leaving her for Sara. When Sara slandered Lilia, he didn't trust Lilia and instead sided with his new lover. He really deserved to be blamed!
Even so, William couldn't give up the hope that Lilia still loved him. He thought that Lilia was kind enough to forgive him. But it looked like William was too late.
Meanwhile, Lilia and Merry got into the car that Clifford was driving. Since last night, the head of Jean's security team had been a kind of personal driver for Lilia.
"Sis Lilia, looks like Sara Hartanto needs to have her brain checked at the hospital." Merry started grumbling about the woman, "Rina's reputation was completely destroyed after the incident at the hotel, so why did Sara actually sign a contract with her?"
Note:
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