Jean's presence made Lilia feel at ease in the middle of the quiet garden.
After a few steps, Lilia turned around and looked at the man following her in silence. She kept wondering whether Jean would be offended by this question, but her curiosity prevailed,
"Do you know Sara Hartanto?" She asked.
Jean put a hand in his pocket and brushed his blonde hair in the night breeze. His handsome appearance made Lilia's heart beat faster.
"She is Chris's younger sister and the third grandchild of the Hartanto family." Jean replied without hiding anything.
Lilia started rubbing her chin, a habit she did when she was thinking about something, "If you know her, why do you keep giving me those videos and photos?"
This was what made Lilia confused. Shouldn't Jean have preferred his best friend's younger sister to a woman he didn't know?
Jean stared at Lilia without speaking for a moment, then walked over to the woman and tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear, "Are you curious why I'm helping you?" Jean caught Lilia's intention accurately.
Lilia linked her hands together, "… You can say that. I hope you are not offended."
"Hmm." Jean just smiled and stepped closer.
Lilia automatically looked up to see the man's expression. Under the moonlight, Jean's blonde hair looked like sparkling gold. Suddenly, she felt self-conscious about their closeness.
"If you don't want to answer, just tell me! Don't just smile ambiguously like that!" Lilia looked away from Jean's face.
Lilia could feel her cheeks and ears turning red from Jean's gaze. Her heart felt as if it was about to jump out of her chest. She took a deep breath and turned around. The woman was about to walk away when Jean caught her wrist. She lost her balance and fell into Jean's chest.
"Where do you want to go? Don't you want to hear my answer?" Jean whispered in her ear.
"Y-You don't have to pull me like that! Just say your answer!" Lilia protested while pushing Jean away.
Lilia felt that Jean had become even bolder and more open since that dinner. The man kept trying to hug or touch her, as if he was going to die without her.
"Because of you."
Hearing that answer, Lilia looked up and looked at Jean's face in confusion. Jean's blue eyes looked serious, "I helped you because of you. There is no other reason."
For Lilia, those answers touched her soul beyond her own understanding. It was also the most endearing words that she had ever heard tonight.
Lilia recently started thinking that if she had to continue the contract marriage with someone for the sake of her family, Jean wasn't a bad choice. She was still not ready to trust and love someone else after what happened to William, but she was willing to try with Jean.
The problem now, Lilia didn't know what answer to give.
"Ahhh, my eyes!"
Suddenly, Tom's loud voice came from the hotel's door. The man covered his eyes with both hands, but he kept peeking out from between his fingers.
Lilia hurriedly pushed Jean away and took two steps back. She was grateful for Tom's timely presence.
On the other hand, Jean's gaze was still fixed on Lilia. He could still smell the scent of flowers on Lilia's body. Jean took a deep breath and suppressed his urge to hug her again. He didn't want to scare Lilia any more than this.
The president then turned around to take care of the man who claimed to be his best friend, "You don't need your eyes anymore, right?" His voice was grim.