Secrets of Lakefront House
CHAPTER 34. PROOF OF BANK ACCOUNT

The hand of Jilena covering her mouth was shocked. “Sarah and Noah? Oh, Ramira, you must be kidding.” Blood throbbed in his head.

“No, I'm not kidding. They dated for about four or five months, if not wrong." Jilena's hand slid down to her chest. "Wow. What's going on?"

“Yah ..One thing, your parents do not approve of the relationship, you can probably imagine how your parents reacted.”

“Mama never said anything.”

“He does not want. He doesn't want to hurt you. And they don't want Sarah with Noah either, especially after what happened to you. I think they're afraid Sarah's gonna get pregnant too.”

"So, who decided it?"

“Noah does. She tells Sarah that she doesn't care if the parents don't approve of their relationship. But—Noah said if he can't be with Sarah because she loves you."

"I? Whahuh? No. gabe. He can't be.” Jilena's head is pulsing right now.

“It happened before Sarah married Adrian, after Noah graduated from college and— returned home. I think that's why Sarah was in a relationship with Adrian so quickly, to forget about Noah. They got married pretty fast, remember?” said Ramira.

“You think that's why Sarah's marriage didn't last long? She still loves Noah?”

“Yes, Sarah loved him so much until now. I think he keeps hoping they might get back together.”

Jilena massaged her temple. “But apparently Noah did not give him hope.” This could make things very difficult between him and his sister.

"Exactly. That's why every time you're in town, it just reminds her why they can't be together, because Noah still loves you.”

"I don't know, Ramira."

However, in retrospect, how could he not know? She remembers once telling her sister after the funeral reception that she was going to meet Noah for dinner. Sarah walked over with no explanation. Now Jilena knows why.

...*...

Jilena went home and picked up the dinner box she had bought, and sat down at the computer. Putting aside her thoughts about Sarah and Noah, she spread him the interview notes on the table. He wrote his article about Lembayung Club's

Flower Party and send it by email to make news in the Sunday paper. Before she could move on to another story, Aunt Dewi called and invited Jilena to lunch the next morning.

"Will Ramira be there?"

"Of course baby. Did you tell him about his father?”

"Yet. I hope to get confirmation of the test results from the skeletal remains of the crime lab. ”

"That might be a good idea."

Jilena bit her lip, considering whether she should ask the next question. "Is Sarah going to lunch tomorrow?”

"Yes. Why are you asking?”

Good, another chance for Sarah to fight with him. "Tante, did auntie know Sarah used to date Noah?"

"Who told you?"

“No problem, the secret has been revealed. From aunt's reaction, I'll say it's definitely true. I just wish someone had told me earlier. ”

"I'm sorry aunt. I should have told you about them.”

“No wonder Sarah can't stand being in the same room as me.”

"Now you know, baby, I hope you guys can finish it."

“I don't understand, why Noah is still chasing me.”

“Yeah, it'll only make things worse now, won't it? How do you feel about him?"

"I'm not sure."

“Jonathan Benedictus and I have spent time together and it seems to be going well, but then Noah kept showing up in the wrong moments and I felt weak and my heart was pounding like I was a silly teenage girl again.

"It looks like maybe you haven't really forgotten it."

“I think I've forgotten it. But sometimes just hearing his name alone makes my blood boil.”

"But not now?" ask aunt goddess.

"Yes, still, but in a different way."

“Well, you better make your choice soon, miss, because if you choose Noah Arsyanendra, then that sweet Jonathan Benedictus will be heartbroken. If you choose Noah is not impossible but surely your brother will never talk to you again.”

“That's what I'm afraid of.” Jilena breathed a desperate sigh. "I want to do the right thing, Auntie. Choosing Noah means only adding to the problem, I'm afraid."

“But once again..” said Aunt Goddess, her voice resonates with experience,

"Listen to your heart. Because the heart never lies."

...*...

Later that night, Ramira calls Jilena with some news. “I found a box

full of old newspaper accounts belonging to my mother.”

“Bank report? I know your mother never did anything like that. He's not the type to keep a checkbook and make notes.” As long as Jilena could remember, Mariana preferred to drink until drunk with her boyfriend.

"No, he's not that kind of person" Ramira replied. “He never manages money well, so it makes me wonder why he keeps these things.”

"Are you looking at that report right now?"

“Yes, I opened some. The strange thing is that all show the existence of a monthly deposit of twenty-five million rupiah. Don't you think that's suspicious?”

"There's an idea where the money came from?"

“No leads. Mom never had a job, as far as I can remember. You don't think my mom did anything illegal, do you? ” ask Ramira.

“I hope not, but you know your mother. She likes drinking and is going to change men, she can easily—”

“Hey, don't say that! She's no good, but she's still my mother.”

"Sorry." Jilena wished she didn't say that, but that was everyone's assessment—Mariana as soon as they called her. During her teenage years Jilena knew Mariana drank like a fish, used drugs occasionally, and slept with any man who wanted her. It was unreasonable to think that he might be working on something illegal.

"No, you're right" Ramira admitted. "But she's my mother, you know."

"I know," said Jilena quietly. He was silent for a moment before returning to the matter at hand. “If he gets regular payment, it could be an important clue, Ramira. Do you mind reading all the statements and seeing if he receives a deposit every month and is it for the same amount?

“I don't like to think he's doing something bad, but if it'll help find him a killer, I don't think I mind."

"No promise, but it might help."

"Well, I don't have a better thing to do tonight." Ramira sounds disappointed with her boring life.

“Maybe not tonight, but aren't you dating Keenan Hadinata? tomorrow night?"

...*...

Jilena spent a quiet night reading and went to bed early, but she rolled around most of the night. Her mind is like a tangle of dreams — memories of when she and Noah were lovers, her and Noah now, her and Jonathan now, Sarah and Noah dating, and, of course, of course, the chaos he was in found himself at this moment. He could not avoid his sister for too long, and in that case there was no way he could avoid Noah either.

In a half-awake state, Mr. Arsyanendra's pouting face appeared in his mind. If she was back together with Noah, she would—dealing with her father as well. His stomach was turning thinking about that. Family dinners and holidays will be excruciating. Just stop! There will be no Arsyanendra family dinner. How can it be after what happened between Noah's family and his family? It's too late for that.

And how could he do that to his brother? How can Sarah move on and find love again if Jilena brings Noah into their family? Finally, his mind calmed down and he fell asleep again, waking up as the digital clock on his nightstand showed at nine o'clock. He flipped his blanket and got out of bed. It's time to get ready for lunch—and meet again with Sarah.

...*...