Secrets of Lakefront House
CHAPTER 33. SUSPICIONS

 “Ya, fun moments.” Noah grinned. “Talking about a nice time, I'll go to the lake tomorrow, take my boat out. How about you come with me?”

Jilena's heart jumped, her throat choked. Is Noah serious? The lake?

“We can picnic lunch and—”

"Next!" exclaim popcorn seller.

He returns to the young man a popcorn salesman, grateful he has saved him from Noah. "I want three popcorn."

Noah laughs. “You must be hungry.”

He glanced over his shoulder. “Rain for me.”

As the man placed the popcorn pouch on the small metal table, Jonathan and Vino stepped closer to Jilena.

"One hundred and twenty thousand" said the seller.

Jonathan reaches into his pocket and pays the man before Jilena takes the purse out of his bag.

"Hello, Jonathan," said Noah.

Jonathan scooped up the food and glanced at a glance. “Noah.”

Tension filled the air. The two did not like each other, but now, since Jilena had returned to the city, they met several times. Jilena looked at the two men who looked at each other with sharp gazes.

"The popcorn is cold while you two stand here gaping." He pulled Jonathan's arm. “Nice to see you again, Noah.” He held Jonathan's arm

a few steps with Vino following behind. Jonathan looked at Vino. “Oke, where will we eat?”

Jilena looked back. Noah watched them, he looked not too happy.

"Let's go for a walk and eat." He waved his hand as they walked away. They walk down a row of games and prizes, Vino walking between them.

When the food ran out, they tried a few games. After several hours of trying to win the prize, Jonathan holds Vino and takes him to the car, the boy's head leaning against his father's broad shoulders. Jonathan laid his son in the back seat and stood up, staring at Jilena.

 “Do you want to come tonight? We could watch a movie or something. I'm sure Vino won't bother." He walked around the car and approached it.

“That sounds good, but I need to work on the Flower Show story and send it tonight. Can I call you later? Maybe I'll drop by?"

“Sure..but you never told me how your interview with Arlina Arsyanendra was. Can you get some questions about Mariana?”

Jilena breathed. "I did, and he kicked me out of his house."

“I want to see that. I thought he was hiding something?"

“It is difficult to say, he installed such a thick wall. Maybe Wira can meet him somewhere.”

“I doubt he will risk going there to question her for no reason.” Jonathan raised his eyebrows, seeking approval.

Jilena nodded. "You're right."

Jonathan looked at his son who was asleep in the car. “Vino is very happy to be taken for a walk. I'm sure he'll talk about it for days.”

Jilena's approaching. He stroked Vino's dark hair and raised his face to look at Jonathan "What about you? Are you happy?"

“Not need to say.” Jonathan bowed and gave her a soft kiss. "Better to bring it home. We are so glad you came.”

A satisfied smile spread on his lips. "It's really fun."

...**...

On her way home from the fair, Jilena stopped by The Upper Spot, hoping she could grab a sandwich for dinner before the cafe closed. However, once inside, his smile disappeared as he came face to face with Mr. Arsyanendra, who was holding a cake box, walking out.

“Hey, aren't you Jilena Margaretha. I heard you're back in town.”

Jilena read his expression reflecting hatred and humiliation. He had not seen this man for many years, other than seeing him at his father's funeral, but his dislike of the volume was as apparent as the night he received news that his son had made him pregnant.

Now, as an adult woman, there was nothing she liked more than grabbing and erasing that arrogance, looking haughty from her face. Why was his strength suddenly gone, suddenly feeling like he was seventeen years old again, curled up under the power of his gaze? Didn't he just declare that morning that he would no longer be shaken by her?

"Can we go out?" She asked. “There's something I want to talk to you about."

With me? Jilena gulped her saliva with great difficulty. His heart rate's tight. As he followed the man out, he glanced back at Ramira behind the counter, who was standing staring at them with a worried expression.

"I... I'm writing an investigative story about the remains of a bone found in your fund house last week—Mariana's corpse.”

“Mariana? The police confirmed that? ”

"Not yet." He took a deep breath. “But I have sure they will confirm soon.”

“You think you know better than the police? You are just a reporter with exaggerated aspirations. You can not survive in a big city and come back here at will — you work for me, I remind.” He let out a haughty laugh. “I expect nothing from you, Jilena Margareta.”

"I'm sorry," she spit back. His eyes narrowed as new strength flooded his body and strengthened his spine. He straightened his shoulders and stood a little higher.

“I wasn't fired from a newspaper in the capital. And I came back here because my papa died, as you know.” Jilena spoke gnashing her teeth, pointing a finger at the man's face. “I came back here to attend the funeral ceremony and her property. I had decided to stay, so I took a job in Lembayung City. But then, you already know that, don't you. You seem to know everyone's business.”

The eyes of Mr. Arsyanendra. "Put that finger off my face."

He was obviously not used to being spoken to like that. Sure, he has a newspaper where Jilena works, and he could endanger his job now, but the man needs to be fought and he has to be the one to do it.

"Listen to me, Miss Jilena." His face shriveled into a frown. “You better be careful who you talk to. I can destroy you like an insect. If you are smart, you will take this warning seriously and stay away from my wife — or." He glared at her for a moment before getting into the Mercedes car, which was parked by the side of the road.

Or what else? His determination began to fade. Jilena turned around and walked into the bakery before the man continued his threat. As soon as he entered, he stopped and gasped.

"Is everything okay?" Ramira asked from behind the counter. "Your face is flushed.”

"Mr Arsyanendra is a jerk." Jilena looked around. Fortunately, the place was empty. “I can't argue with you there. Can I help you?”

"Can I buy a sandwich?"

"I just closed, but for you, anything." Ramira came out from behind the counter. “I'll lock and turn off the lights, then I'll make whatever you want.

“Sore is fun, but not this morning,” complained Jilena looked at her friend. While Ramira makes sandwiches, Jilena shares the story before the interview with Mrs Arsyanendra and her sore at the exhibition alongside Jonathan and Vino.

“This is it.” Ramira stuffed the wrapped sandwich into a white paper bag and placed it on the table.

"Did the interview make you argue with almighty Mr Arsyanendra? I saw you guys fighting. What happened to you two?”

"He told me to stay away from his wife—or the others." Jilena spinning on the bench.

"He threatened you?"

"Yes, but it won't make me stop chasing stories."

“Oh, Jil, you know he can make your life miserable if he decides to—."

“I know, but I have to get the story. It could have a big impact on my career if I could help solve this case, not to mention getting justice for your mother.”

“I appreciate that, but promise me you'll be careful. Please." Please."

"I will, definitely." Jilena nodded. “Say, other than Hendra Baskoro's photo, you didn't find anything else in your mother's old box that might help solve this case, right?”

"What-like?"

“Anything unusual—doubtful photos, old letters, anything suspicious."

“Well, I'm not looking for anything else, but I can. There's a lot of old boxes in my garage. ”

The fruit fell not far from the tree. Jilena's happy now. Maybe something more will come out of it. At least they got Hendra Baskoro.

“Mom hates throwing things away, especially paper. I'll take a look around and tell you.”

“That's great.” Jilena got off the bench and grabbed her bag. "We better get home. I have a deadline for an article tonight.”

“You know, Jil, we should all have dinner at Aunt Dewi's house again. Looks like after the funeral is over, we're all separated.”

“Sorry, I think that's what happened. Besides, my brother can't seem to be in the same room as me without fighting. I'm sure he still blames me for Death mother—he should forget that.”

"More than that, Jil."

"What do you mean?" Jilena climbed back onto the bench and put down her bag.

Ramira approached and lowered his voice. “You never knew this, but Sarah and Noah dated a few years ago."

"What?" Jilena gasps. The revelation was very shocking, it was fortunate that he had already sat down or that he would fall to the floor.