When Lilia and her mother came into the study, Jean was sitting opposite Robert. They were sitting across a wooden table with a pile of important documents.
"Excuse me, we brought tea for the two of you." Sylvia immediately greeted the two men with warm smiles, "I hope we don't interfere with your discussion."
"No, of course you don't interfere. Lilia, you can put the tea here." Robert immediately cleared the table so that his daughter could put the tray she was carrying.
"Mister Jean, I am Lilia's mother, Sylvia Pangestu. It's an honor to be able to meet a talented young entrepreneur like you." Sylvia introduced herself to Jean with enthusiasm.
Jean turned towards Sylvia and nodded, "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Sylvia Pangestu." He replied with a polite smile, "As a future mother-in-law, you don't need to be formal with me."
"Ah, alright. As her mother, I hope Lilia doesn't make things difficult for you, Young Master Jean. This kid is too stubborn and unruly." Sylvia sighed in an exaggerated manner, "But she's actually a good girl who really loves her family."
Behind Sylvia, Lilia didn't say anything and just lowered her head. She knew her mother was currently trying to get Jean to sympathize with them. Lilia was embarrassed by Sylvia's behavior, but she didn't dare to argue with her mother in front of Jean. Sylvia cared deeply about other people's opinions and would not hesitate to punish Lilia if she did something embarrassing.
Jean glanced at Lilia, who was partly visible behind her mother's body. The young woman always looked full of confidence, but it was as if she was withered in front of her own mother. Jean frowned and returned his gaze to Sylvia.
"Lilia isn't that difficult at all." Jean said lightly, "I've always admired her independence and confidence."
Lilia lowered her head even more to hide her shocked expression. She did not expect that her stubborn nature would be appreciated by this arrogant man.
"Y-Yes, of course!" Sylvia laughed dryly, even though her laugh sounded forced, "As a mother, I also feel proud of my daughter. But I think it would be better if the kid stopped pretending to be a model and stayed home like a good wife. Doesn't Young Master Jean agree with me?"
Hearing that, Lilia clenched her hands together. Sylvia never agreed to Lilia's dream of becoming a model, but that woman couldn't do anything because Robert supported Lilia. If Jean sided with Sylvia and forbade Lilia to work as a model…
Lilia closed her eyes tightly. Would her dream end before she can even take her first steps?
"Mrs. Sylvia." Jean spoke in a serious tone, "Please retract your words."
"Huh?" Both Lilia and Sylvia were shocked. Lilia looked up to Jean.
"Lilia doesn't 'pretend' to be a model—she's a professional model." Jean continued firmly, "Since her debut 4 years ago, she has been appearing in various fashion shows like…" The man started to mention the big events that Lilia participated in since her debut as a model.
The three members of the Pangestu family were listening to Jean with shocked expressions. Lilia herself didn't think that this man knew so much about her career. She felt that her efforts had finally been recognized by someone. Without realizing it, the corner of Lilia's mouth lifted into a happy smile.
"… Lilia is really serious about her job. So please take your words back, Mrs. Sylvia." Jean ended his lecture.
"Ah… um… I-I'm sorry…" Sylvia muttered frantically.
Jean's gaze shifted from Sylvia to Lilia, as if he wanted Sylvia to apologize to her daughter.
"… Sorry, Lilia. Mother misunderstood you." Said Sylvia reluctantly, "Then, I'll excuse myself..."
Without waiting for Lilia's answer, the woman rushed out of the room. Lilia blankly watched her mother leave. She never imagined there would be a day when Sylvia apologized to her and this was all thanks to the sneaky man—that man, Jean!
Robert cleared his throat and got up from his chair. "Lilia, I need to use the restroom for a bit. You stay here with Jean, okay." Without waiting for Lilia's answer, Robert rushed out after his wife.
For a few moments, the room was completely silent.
Lilia slowly turned her body again, but she didn't dare to look at Jean. She focused her gaze on the documents on the table while thinking of something else to distract him. Robert's sudden departure made the atmosphere turn awkward. Lilia wanted to complain that she didn't want to be left alone with Jean in such an awkward situation.
Lilia heard the sound of running water as Jean started pouring tea into the cup. She secretly stole glances at the man. Jean's dark blue eyes looked like a calm sea, as if the man didn't feel awkward at all.
Suddenly he turned to Lilia, "Are you going to stand there all night?" Jean asked in a light voice.
Hearing that indirect command, Lilia headed for the chair opposite the man, but Jean tapped the empty space beside him.
"Come here." He called.
Lilia stopped walking and hesitated for a moment. She felt awkward sitting close to the man, but on the other hand Lilia was also indebted for Jean's defense.
"Come on, sit down. Take it easy, I won't bite you." Said Jean with a faint smile, as if he was enjoying the awkwardness in Lilia's body language.
Given there was no other choice for her, Lilia sat beside Jean. The man placed a teacup in front of him, "Why are you silent? Where did all your passion and courage go? " He asked.
"What do you mean by passion and courage ?!" Lilia said curtly.
Jean raised an eyebrow, "Who was sneaking into my car without asking permission earlier?"
"Ugh…" Lilia couldn't answer and looked away while grumbling inwardly.
"About the dinner appointment."
Jean's words made Lilia turn her head back to him.
"We'll postpone it for another time." Jean's eyes studied her face closely, "You don't mind, do you?"
"Of course, it's okay. I don't mind at all." Lilia answered quickly. She just hoped that Jean would cancel it as well.
Jean's lips twitched as if he could read Lilia's thoughts, yet he didn't say a word.
"…Thank you." Lilia muttered.
"Hm?" Jean glanced at her.
"Because you've defended me earlier." Lilia said it while looking away, but Jean could see a tiny smile on her face.
"I only did it because I didn't like your mother's arrogant attitude, that's all." Jean replied calmly, "I actually prefer you to stop working and stay at home like a good housewife."
Lilia turned directly to him while frowning, "I won't do that! If I stop, my dream…" Lilia hurriedly swallowed the rest of her sentence again. She cleared his throat and continued, "If you want a wife who can stay at home, just find another woman!"
Jean just chuckled and didn't reply to Lilia's words. She glanced at Jean to see his reaction. The man lifted his teacup elegantly. Lilia's eyes were fixed on Jean's every move, on how he blew the hot tea with great patience, how his high cheekbones stood out from close up, and then…
Lilia realized that she had been staring at Jean without blinking. The woman hurriedly raised her own teacup to cover her embarrassment. She could feel Jean's gaze, as if he could see into the bottom of her heart.
In her panic, Lilia drank the tea quickly and forgot about the fact that it was still very hot.
"Ummph! " Lilia choked and coughed violently. She covered her mouth with one hand as she hurriedly put down the cup.
Jean put down his cup and patted Lilia's back, "Why are you so careless?" He said softly, as if the man was worried about her. However, Lilia could see the laughter in her blue eyes.
"Cough...Cough... I ... you ..."
'This is all your fault!' Lilia wanted to scream. If Jean didn't embarrass her, she wouldn't choke!
Lilia's tongue was burned by the hot tea and she couldn't taste anything. Her teary eyes looked around to find a glass of water in the room, but the only drink available was the hot tea she brought. Unable to take it anymore, Lilia stood up and ran out of the room.
Jean watched Lilia's fleeing figure. A chuckle escaped his mouth, "Maybe I teased her too much." Jean smiled softly while muttering. His face, which was always looking cold, became warmer.
After chilling her tongue, Lilia walked into her room and refused to come out again. She didn't know how long she'd been under the covers until she heard Jean saying good-bye to her parents. Lilia waited for the sound of the man's car to disappear before she ventured to peek out of the house from her bedroom window.
She sighed with relief when she saw that the Volkswagen car was gone. She never knew if the man was serious or just playing with her. His attitude towards Lilia was mostly icy cold, but sometimes Jean showed concern that made her heart flutter.
That night, Lilia couldn't sleep well. She kept dreaming of Jean's two ocean-colored eyes watching her. In her dream, his eyes were filled with tenderness and warmth.
At six in the morning, Lilia was woken up by the ringing of the phone that didn't stop.
"…Hello?" Lilia picked up the phone while yawning.
"Get up this instant! This isn't the time to sleep well! Something happened to Sara Hartanto!"