Lilia rushed to the side of the car and opened the rear seat door. She was a little surprised that the car door wasn't locked, but Lilia didn't really think about it. In a quick movement she slipped in without asking the car's owner.
However, neither Kenny, who was in the driver's seat, nor Jean, who was sitting in the backseat, were surprised when Lilia suddenly appeared. They acted as if they really came here to get her.
Jean only gave Lilia a quick glance before focusing his attention back to the document in his hand. The man leaned back in the car seat with his legs folded. The top button of his black shirt was left open.
Lilia silently stole glances at her ex and his new girlfriend behind. The two of them looked at her standing still, but a moment later, William started walking toward the car.
Lilia hurriedly turned to Jean and said, "President Jean, please help me!"
Jean turned his attention away from the document and looked at Lilia. The woman looked panicked as she repeatedly glanced out of the car. Jean raised his eyebrows and followed Lilia's gaze. He saw a young man he recognized as William Anggara approaching the car.
Jean frowned and put down the documents. Without warning, Jean reached out to Lilia and hugged her waist. The man ignored the surprise on Lilia's face as he pulled her into his arms.
Jean whispered in Lilia's ear, "What kind of help do you need?"
Jean's mood improved a little as he watched William stop walking with a shocked expression out of the corner of his eye. She wouldn't let another man get close to Lilia, let alone the boy that she used to love. His fiancé struggled and tried to push him away, but he tightened his embrace instead.
After her resistance failed to bear fruit, Lilia gave up and answered Jean's question, "...Take me away from here."
Kenny immediately straightened and grabbed the wheel of the car, waiting for orders from his boss. But Jean hadn't finished talking to Lilia yet.
"If I help you, how are you going to pay me?" The smile on Jean's face showed that he was enjoying this situation, "My help isn't cheap, you know?"
"I-I ..." Lilia was confused to answer the man's question and glanced at Kenny for help. However, the assistant immediately looked away and pretended to not see anything.
'You traitor!' She thought.
"Hmm?" Jean grabbed Lilia's chin, returning her gaze to the man.
"…Dinner! I'll buy you dinner!" Lilia said the random thing that came to her mind.
The whole car was silent for a few moments. Then Jean broke the silence with a chuckle, making Lilia and Kenny jump in surprise.
"I don't need to be treated. Kenny, run the car." Jean ordered.
Lilia let out a sigh of relief as the car moved away. She once again turned to the two men and saw Sara arguing with William. The woman grabbed William's arm while shouting something.
A wide smile spread across Lilia's face and her mood immediately improved. Everyone knew Sara hated her, so why should she pretend to be nice to her?
The car had been driving for a while when Lilia realized that Jean's arm was still wrapped around her waist. She could smell the faint smell of cigarettes from his body. Lilia compared it to William's fresh fruity scent and felt that Jean's scent was much more masculine.
"Um ... President Jean, can you let me go?" Lilia reminded, "We've got far enough and nobody's paying attention anymore."
After saying that, Lilia felt that the temperature in the car had dropped a few degrees.
Jean let go without saying a word and Lilia immediately shifted to make a space between them. The temperature in the car dropped so low that Lilia checked the car's AC temperature. After confirming that Kenny didn't change the car's temperature, she glanced at Jean. The man went back to reading the document, but Lilia felt that the fourth son of the Widjaya family looked very upset. She tried to improve the atmosphere by saying politely, "Thank you for helping me earlier, President Jean."
Jean's eyes remained fixed on the document in his hand, "I don't need your thanks." He said coldly.
Lilia was starting to regret her decision to get into this car. What was she expecting from this heartless man?
In the driver's seat, Kenny secretly let out a deep sigh.
"Because you promised to have dinner with me." Jean continued without changing his expression.
Both Lilia and Kenny immediately turned to Jean in shock. Didn't Jean just refuse Lilia's invitation to go out to dinner together? Why did he change his mind now?
Lilia gave up trying to understand Jean's thoughts and said, "Please drop me off at the intersection. I'll go home first to change clothes, then meet you at any restaurant you choose."
Jean finally looked up from the document, "Do you intend to go home on foot?" His voice was sarcastic.
Lilia shook her head, "No, I'll take a taxi home. I don't want to trouble you any further."
In truth, Lilia just didn't want her family to see that man take her home. Still, she wouldn't tell the man beside her. Lilia had no intention of making the man's mood—and the temperature in the car—even colder.
Kenny glanced at Jean in the rearview mirror, waiting for his decision. Jean frowned, indicating that the man did not agree to let Lilia go home alone. Then Kenny's eyes caught the car behind them.
"President, there is a car that has been trailing behind us since earlier." Kenny reported.
Lilia looked back, feeling suspicious of Kenny's words. When she saw the black van that read 'Saturday Magazine', Lilia's face immediately changed.
They were being followed by the paparazzi!
"Stop the car at the intersection and get her off." Jean's orders were cold.
Lilia gave Jean an annoyed look. Now the man was willing to fulfill her request? He must be playing with Lilia on purpose!
When Kenny started to slow down the car, Lilia immediately relented, "Wait! I changed my mind! Can you walk me home?"