Cry, Or Better Yet Beg
chapter 39. Beloved anaku

“She's a smart girl, as expected.”

Ms. Etman felt a wave of relief surging over her when she saw her son's bedroom door tightly shut.

After coming out in the afternoon to see Leyla a few days ago, Kyle returned home in a state of disintegration like a bewitched person. Ms. Etman could have foreseen the end of the two based on the condition of her son being confined in a room with tightly clenched lips.

“Mistress, Young Master also missed lunch today.” With a worried face, the housekeeper reported to Bu Etman who had just stepped down from the second floor.

"Leave him alone. He will also have difficulty swallowing food when experiencing disorders.”

Mrs Becker's eyes widened to see the unexpected response from Mrs Etman regarding her son. He looked overjoyed, even though his son had missed a meal since yesterday. But Ms. Becker decided not to ask any further, knowing that his mistress rarely revealed the real reason, so he simply lowered his head and walked away.

Mrs Etman visited the park after a long absence to care for flowerbeds. The garden in Etman's house is filled with very beautiful and diverse roses brought from the Arvis bush. He received some roses from Elysee von Herhardt, who exclusively gifted the flowers to his closest wife.

She is the only woman without a title in Carlsbar who has an alliance with two Duchesses from the Herhardt family and some people have no idea how proud she is of it. He believed that Kyle's marriage to a lowly noblewoman introduced by Norma von Herhardt would improve the social status of the Etman family.

How hard she worked to get here, now her husband and son are trying to thwart her efforts, just for the sake of one girl named Leyla.

Linda Etman immediately admitted that she had made a grave mistake towards the poor girl. But he's not sorry. For Kyle's sake, he could have done a far more terrifying act than that. Leyla had better find a husband equal to her.

Ms. Etman entered the living room while carrying a bouquet of roses that matched the color. She carefully arranges the flowers in the vase when Dr. Etman.

“Kyle? Does he still do that?”

"Yes. Looks like he's having a lot of trouble.”

“I think there's something going on between him and Leyla.”

“I'll meet Leyla.”

Madame Etman spoke calmly as she placed the vase of flowers in the center of the table.

"You?"

"Have you forgotten? Kyle is my son too.”

He smiled while standing up.

“He is a son I love more than you.”

Leyla was sitting in a corner of the yard washing a big pot when Bu Etman visited her. Her appearance was soaked; a splash of pump water soaked her aprons, sleeves, and the crowns of her head.

Hello, Mrs Etman.

Leyla got up and greeted him without showing her surprise.

“Please come, i-..”

"NO. You don't have to do that.” Madame Etman shook her head after closely observing Leyla from head to toe and handed her the leather bag she was carrying.

Leyla could figure out what was inside without even looking at it. He almost expressed his gratitude, as he always did after receiving something. However Leyla decided to swallow her words and accept the money bag quietly.

Seeing Leyla close her lips after receiving it, Bu Etman furrowed her brows in annoyance.

“Seeing from your facial expression, it seems like a lot you want to say.”

"Yes." Yeah." Leyla answered without the slightest hesitation. He refused to bow his head, which he did last time in the teahouse.

Ms. Etman laughed out loud, “Alright, please. I'll understand.” She flashed a friendly smile on her stiff lips from bitterness. “It looks like you're done talking to Kyle.”

“You already know, and that's why you returned our money, right?”

"What did you say?" Mrs Etman's eyes sparkled at Leyla's bold tone, in stark contrast to her usual self.

"Don't worry; I didn't mention about you.”

"Worry?"

"Yes. You seem worried I'll tell Kyle about what you actually did that day.”

"Huh. I didn't expect you to be such a brave boy.”

“I'm sorry if I sound rude. I just wanted to tell you that Kyle had no idea what happened that day.”

Leyla lowered her head to convey her apology.

"I didn't tell Kyle," he said. When his eyes returned to the lady. Etman again, his eyes became sharper. “I also won't tell him in the future.”

Even mentioning Kyle's name made Leyla's heart ache. Memories of Kyle's back, which he left by the river that day, will change his life forever. No doubt it will remain a pain in the heart that will last for the rest of his days.

“I will do it for Kyle, not for anyone else.”

“For Kyle?”

Ms. Etman is cynical, but Leyla doesn't seem to mind.

"Yes. I-i know. I know that Kyle loves his mother very much. Whatever you do to me, you are Kyle's precious mother. So I want to protect the mother she loves.”

“You don't want me to be amazed how a bad boy like you can live all this time wearing a sweet and good-faced child mask.”

"I'm sorry if I offended you."

Leyla lowered her head politely. Madam Etman turned deathly pale in response to what she perceived as a sign of ridicule.

“But, I mean it sincerely. I'd just like to let you know that you don't have to worry.”

“That's a too bold promise, so I'll try to trust it.”

Bu Etman was relieved but scrunched his eyes to disguise him.

“Because you said you did it for Kyle's sake, I hope you explained to Kyle why you canceled the wedding in a way that didn't make him sick.”

"Yes. I'm gonna do that. Rather, Mrs. Etman.. ”.

“I want you to apologize for one thing.”

"… What? Apologizing?"

"Yes. I can accept whatever you tell me, even if it's wrong, I'll still accept it. But I want you to apologize for what you said about Uncle Bill.”

Leyla rampage. His hand holding the bag turned pale, but he made no attempt to return.

“You said you hated Uncle Bill for bringing such a tragedy into your life by raising me.”

Madame Etman snorted as if she did not understand what she was saying. Once again, Leyla urged him to apologize.

“Please apologize for that.”

His voice was gentle yet firm, carried by the beautiful summer night breeze.

Matthias' lips smirked as he leaned against the wall, having to eavesdrop on their interesting conversation.

He had just finished swimming when he suddenly stepped foot into the gardener's cottage on his way home, hoping to see Leyla crying there. And Matthias had no regrets about making such a quick decision after witnessing a spectacle that was even more alluring than his tears.

He is eager to see what Madam Etman's facial expression looks like, but Matthias decides to be patient, knowing that his arrival will only end their exciting game.

Matthias took a seat in the window frame while leaning against Leyla's bedroom window facing the backyard. He enjoyed watching the white pigeons peck at his food while waiting for Linda Etman's answer.

“What people say is true; one's roots cannot be lied”

After a moment of silence, Linda Etman's voice became tense due to the annoying insistence she could not hide.

"Apardon me? I'd rather feel sorry for Mr. Remmer, the poor man who raised a child like you.”

"Linda Etman, as expected."

Glad that his second prediction had come true, Matthias stroked the tame pigeon. He remembered seeing Leyla through the window of his car a few days ago. It was all still fresh in his memory; he was sobbing, and his body was drenched in cold sweat. He had trouble breathing properly, and his trembling body looked messy.

“Very sad.”

Matthias sneered mockingly. Her twitching lips glimmered deep red.

“If he wants to say something, tell him, say it out loud. Isn't that right?”

After he spoke softly to the pigeons, Matthias left the cabin, throwing away the dull spectacle.

Then, he decided.

If Leyla could not give him pleasure, he would create his own pleasure.

The rumor started with Ms. Mona.

“Have you heard it? The reason why Leyla and Kyle broke up.”

Every time she met another duchy clerk, Madam Mona would return in an angry tone to tell her the incredible story she had heard before.

“It was Etman who stole Leyla's tuition from Mr Remmer! The Postman just told me. He sent others to steal their money. She wants to get Leyla out of college and cancel her marriage to Kyle!”

Ms. Mona held her breath for a moment while speaking to add to the dramatic effect, like a firecracker erupting.

Everyone laughed together, they were all blown away. Ms. Mona is famous as a chatty person. He avoids idle gossip and never fails to provide a solid foundation for each storyline.

"I knew. You can't believe it. Because I was like that at first. However, police have arrested the man who played the pet dog Bu Etman in the theft of the money. The Postman, Mr. Berger, saw the thief firsthand while he was delivering a letter to the police station. He heard what happened to the police. I'm sure you'll all be surprised to know who he is.”

Ms. Mona deliberately lowered her voice when it came to the most interesting part of the story.

“Do you all know Mr Rayner? The businessman who is also Bu Etman's cousin? My God, he's the thief!”

“What, Mr Rayner? Daniel Rayner's?”

"Yes! That's Mr Rayner!”

Bu Mona's tone of voice grew even more spiteful as they all noisily repeated the question in disbelief.

“And after he stole the money, Ms. Etman asked to meet Leyla in person, at one point she confronted him and said, 'How dare you marry my son?' Strangers who happened to hear their quarrel became suspicious and reported it to the police, leading to his arrest.”

After that, the story rolled like fireworks dotting the night sky.

“Indeed, she is a bad woman. How could he do such a cruel thing to that poor boy?!”

The shocked expression on her audience's face grew wider as Bu Mona raised her voice while trying to suppress her emotions.

"I know it! There is no way Leyla gave up on college or got married without doing anything.”

“How could he commit such a horrible act? Her noble Madame Etman.”

An excited crowd came in droves to cast their votes. They all quickly develop into enthusiastic orators with the same spirit as Mother Mona and begin to spread the truth at the same speed.

The news quickly spread throughout the Arvis House, precisely taking less than half a day.

It was late afternoon when Ms. Mona, who seemed to have muted her anger, saw Bill Remmer calmly working in the park.

'It seems, that stupid guy still doesn't know.'

Regardless of how excited Ms. Mona was to tell the story, she was unhappy that this matter concerned someone close to her.

'But Bill Remmer is like Leyla's father. He is someone who needs to know this better than anyone else.'

In her inner fight, Ms. Mona made up her mind,

"Yes. I have to tell him.”

Finishing his decision, he started walking towards the park