Secrets of Lakefront House
CHAPTER 32. ARLINA ARSYANENDRA

Very clearly visible, from the face of the woman was depicted arrogance. After all, the woman was like a queen who ruled the house where she lived. She sat in the middle of the white sofa, a myriad of colorful silk pillows behind her, graceful legs crossed, her hands placed on her lap, Arlina giving off the appearance of a queen holding the throne.

“Yeah, Arlina, as you know, I'm here to interview you about the Lembayung Club and the Flower Party you'll be hosting next week. Can you tell me about it?”

Arlina's eyes lit up, and her face and hands were excited as she talked about flowers and what her club wanted to achieve. Jilena had to doodle quickly in her notebook to keep up with the pace of the woman in front of her.

After a thirty-minute session of questions and answers about flowers, and a plethora of other notes, Jilena senses there is an opportunity to change the conversation about the murder case. He tried to find the right sentence before he asked a question.

“I really appreciate your time today, Arlina. You have a wealth of knowledge and information about flowers and gardening. Beauty and smart— no wonder Mr. Arsyanendra loves you. ”

Arlina threw a polite smile. “Wah, thank you, Miss Jilena, you are the same. This is a fun thing for me. I mean, what's the point of knowledge if we don't share, right?"

It turns out that this woman is very confident and likes to boast of herself with just a little praise, murmured jilena. Maybe this way I can make him tell you a little bit about the past.

"A-arlina, I totally agree." Jilena gathered her things, pretending to be getting ready to leave. “Actually, before I leave, I want to know if I can ask about something else.”

“What is it?” Arlina's voice turned suspicious.

"Have you ever known Mariana?" ask Jilena carefully.

A small wrinkle formed on Arlina's brow, like she was going through mental stress. “The name sounds familiar.” he replied with a face look of dislike.

"His body was not found buried near your lake house" Jilena looked at the woman's face to see her reaction.

Arlina placed her hand against her chest with a dramatic gesture of attention as if surprised. "God. Just now I remember, I've heard the name it— in the news. Horrifically. Very terrible.” He shook his head and lowered his gaze for a moment before continuing his words with his calm appearance. “Why did you ask?”

The reaction seemed a little exaggerated and contrived, it was strange. And he doesn't really answer the question. Jilena also pretended.

I was covering a story for the city newspaper—you know, looking for news— I tried to talk to anyone who might have information or know him.”

"It's been a long time, hasn't it?" asking with a sad face made-up makes Jilena sure if there is something that the woman knows.

"Eleven or twelve years ago, I believed." replied Jilena.

"Why do you think I know him?" ask Arlina. Other evasive questions.

“I'm very sure that he knows your husband. So he must know you, too. Didn't we?"

"Perhaps, too, but I don't remember." stared straight at her with a stern look like a queen ready to give an order. That woman will not give up. It is time for me to speak openly to her, Jilena said in her heart.

“I don't mean to sound rude, Arlina, but I've heard the news when your husband was still married to Mrs Arsyanendra his first wife, that your husband has a reputation for sleeping with other women who are not his wife.”

"What exactly do you mean, Miss Jilena?" asked in a high tone. Seems he doesn't like what Jilena said.

"Mariana was one of those women."

Should Jilena dare to tell Arlina about her husband's illegitimate daughter? Or could it be that he already knew about Ramira? Her feelings tickled, telling her that this woman must know something, and she didn't want to talk about it.

Jilena got up from her chair, slowly, deliberately. “I want to say, that I can find out about your husband's affair with Mariana, you definitely know if the police too. So, if you know something..”.

"Please go." Arlina, whose face was now pouting, pointed her index finger out. Jilena dropped a business card on the sparkling table.

"If you know anything, please contact me. I will keep your name from anyone. I promise." While stepping foot out of the house.

...**...

Jileena approached the barrier fence surrounding the playground, just as Vino was passing by in a small motorized car. Well, maybe not exactly darting, but a joyous expression on his face when he saw Jilena there— he felt like he was racing.

“Daddy, daddy! Looky!" the word Vino pointed towards the direction where Jilena was standing. Jilena waved at Vino as she walked around again.

"Hey, you found us" said Jonathan from where he stood watching his son.

"You gave me a good lead." Jilena contacted Jonathan after she finished the interview, after coming home to change clothes, she was wearing jeans and a white t-shirt.

Vino finishes the game, jumps out of the mini-car, and dashes his head over Jonathan standing waiting for him. “Daddy see? I won the ” race, said Vino, who thinks he's in a mini-car race.

"Eh, yeah, daddy knows you can." Jonathan cast a glance at Jilena who was standing beside him. "How about we buy a snack, handsome boy?"

"OK, but I have to pee." Vino crossed his legs with a sad expression on his face.

“Hey, how about I buy a snack?” Jilena offered. “You two go to the bathroom and I'll queue.” He glanced towards the food stand and saw a crowded visitor “It looks like a long queue.”

Jonathan held Vino's hand. "OKAY. Thank ye. We'll be right back."

They ran to the bathroom to take care of business as Jilena stood in line to buy popcorn. The queue quickly moved and when it was only a few more people, someone patted his shoulder.

"Fast from the toilet." He turned around with a smile on his face, thinking it was Jonathan and Vino, but Noah who he found standing behind him was looking at him and smiling.

"It's nice to meet you here," he said, looking at her sharply with a smile. He circulates pandanfan like looking for something and finding Jilena alone.

Noah swung his finger holding Jilena's arm. “You always love exhibition.”

Jilena is stuck in line — Vino is expecting popcorn— he has to talk to Noah. But he must not let the man touch him, especially if Jonathan can come at any time.

He let go of Noah's grip and retreated. "Yes I like exhibitions, but it's been a long time since I've been here.”

 “I've always liked it too, especially food,” he said. "What about you?"

Jilena is nervous Jonathan sees her with Noah, her smile fading, but there is a new comfort with Noah that she cannot deny. “I love fairways, we always meet with friends. We always go, remember?" ask Noah.