Chapter 29

Last night, Carlie stayed over at Jona's mansion again. The reason? Because Jona was still very unsatisfied that Carlie's conditions for staying with him weren't met. So, he decided that Carlie had to spend another night at his place. Fortunately, Carlie's wish to have separate rooms from Jona was granted. She slept alone in the guest room.

That afternoon, at 11 o'clock, Carlie was escorted by Jona's driver to her apartment. In her heart, she was very grateful because this time her return went smoothly. In contrast to the last time she returned to her boutique. The first thing Carlie noticed as she stepped out of the limousine she was riding in was the bustling courtyard of her apartment. It was filled with shiny black SUVs, all of which had official plates. And instantly, her heart raced uneasily.

Carlie entered her apartment building, took the elevator to the top floor with her card. The penthouse floor and when she arrived, her initial suspicion finally peaked. She was quite sure she could hear commotion from inside her own penthouse. With her room card, she unlocked the door and entered her home and instantly...

Carlie froze as 5 rifles were aimed at her.

"Hands up!"a reflexive man exclaimed. But the vigilant look on his face couldn't be maintained for long. Because only a few seconds later, he widened his eyes and immediately lowered his rifle. "M-Madame!? Madame Eloise?"

Carlie rolled her eyes. "Is there anyone else in the world who has a face like mine?"she asked, arrogantly.

The man stepped back. "Y-Young Master!"he exclaimed loudly. "Madame Eloise has returned!"

Carlie knew what the presence of so many people in her penthouse meant. What the significance of all these people wearing similar uniforms was. They were her uncle Carlie's subordinates. Rian Andira. Who was certainly escorted by Carlie's favorite cousin, the son of her uncle. Ian and almost simultaneously with the officer's call, her cousin arrived. Instantly, his eyes widened.

"Sis!"Carlie was stunned as Ian, who was tall, immediately hugged her. So tight. Unbelievably warm. As if fear enveloped every beat of her blood. Afraid of losing Carlie and this time his fear was relieved by seeing his beloved sister return. "Where have you been for 2 days!? Why did you leave me at the event suddenly!? What happened?! Are you hurt!? Why didn't you reply to the messages-"

"Shh,"Carlie put her index finger on Jan's lips.

"You should know that i hate being scolded, don't you? You're being rude."

Jan - for the first time in his life, brushed away Carlie's hand,"i don't care if you hate it or not, sis! Do you not know how worried I've been waiting for you to come back here!?"

Carlie was shocked,"are you defying me?"

"Is that what needs to be discussed now?! Even more important than why you suddenly disappeared without a trace!?"

Carlie was stunned while holding back laughter as she saw Jan's face turn as red as a tomato. A mix of anger. Of worry. Of sadness. Of annoyance. The combination on his face was indescribably adorable, Carlie had to exert all her strength to resist pinching and squeezing her cousin's face and of course, her efforts to restrain herself failed. Ian was then bombarded with pinches on his face, along with giggles from Carlie's lips. Mocking Ian's worries.

"Sis!"Ian brushed Carlie's hand away again.

"Stop it, and tell me what happened!"

Carlie chuckled lightly,"oh my, my adorable little brother. Is this all your doing? By cramming dozens of your musty-smelling subordinates into my apartment?"

"We didn't have any other choice. We're trying to track you down,"Ian snorted.

"And suddenly you appear as if you haven't done anything wrong. Although i'm glad you're back, you're still annoying."

"Are you saying i just committed a sin against you?"

"Is worrying about each other not considered a sin in your book?"

"No, it's not."

Tan snorted again. There were many things he wanted to say to Carlie. Questions he wanted to ask. He felt like he wanted to be angry. Overflowing with every frustration that piled up in his chest. Expressing his worries plainly. Showing his annoyance because Carlie only laughed at the panic etched on Ian's face. But before he could, he was stopped first. Right when Carlie suddenly hugged him, burying his face into her neck.

"You're adorable when you're worried. I always say that, don't i?"Carlie asked softly. "Who else has been bothered by my search?"

"Dad,"Ian said, referring to Carlie's uncle. "Uncle Gerald and Aunt Dera know too. Everyone in Indonesia is in a panic and thinking of sending expeditions to find you here,"Carlie realized how wise he came at the right time. If not, she was sure that her father and uncle would do everything to find her, ending up finding Jona immediately.

"Uh-oh. My mom must be insanely worried,"Carlie laughed. More at herself.

"Can you connect Uncle Rian with me? I think i should talk to them."

"Do you promise you'll explain to me where you've been all this time afterward?"

Carlie smiled,"i promise."

"Next time there's no excuse whatsoever for you not to bring your phone, Carlie Eloise Heston. Do you understand?"her uncle's low voice sounded from the other end of the line. "You have to understand that with your carelessness in not informing us all, you've managed to panic us to no end, your mother almost fainted because of it, your father and your twin almost exploded from holding back their worries. Maybe you just met your friends out there, but the impact is so fatal and detrimental. So next time, a bad excuse like 'sorry my phone was left behind' won't be tolerated by Uncle, got it?"

Her uncle's admonition filled Carlie's ears from behind the receiver. If her father never dared to reprimand her, because to him, Carlie was a beloved daughter who only deserved to be pampered and not scolded on the contrary, her uncle was a reliable advisor. Since childhood, her uncle had often advised her because of her sometimes reckless actions. Sometimes too indifferent and like now, the first to step in to reprimand her was, of course, her uncle.

"Sorry, Uncle. I assure you that this won't happen again,"Carlie replied, with a smile on her face. "Please let Dad and Mom know that i'm okay and i'll call them both soon. Mommy must be crying like a little kid, isn't she?"Carlie imagined her mother's beautiful yet incredibly sentimental face.

"Of course. She's worried about you,"her uncle replied. "I'll convey the message. Now go wash up, rest, and no more antics. Understand, Carlie?"

"Yes, Uncle. I understand. Good afternoon. I love you."

"It's already evening in Indonesia if you forgot,"her uncle chuckled. "Good night, Carlie. I love you too and please force my eldest child to return to his campus. Before i'm summoned by their dean because their genius child refuses to return to classes."

Carlie laughed,"you can count on me for that."

"Thank you. Uncle knows Uncle can."

Carlie returned Ian's phone to its owner. Ian accepted it, still with a disgruntled look. While everyone else in the room was already cheering because the employer they were looking for had returned, Ian was different. The man still had an unsatisfied expression on his face. His annoyance and that's because he still felt Carlie's reasons were suspicious.