Secrets of Lakefront House
CHAPTER 36. MEET RATIH ARSYANENDRA

Jilena was standing in front of her old high school building, staring into the second floor of the brick building with a cream stucco accent. Auction items were placed on a path, around a circular fountain in the center, and some other items such as furniture and accessories, among others, scattered in the spacious courtyard where Jilena remembers usually the students filled the grassy area at lunch.

Today she's going to meet Noah's birth mother for an interview. From a distance seen Ratih Arsyanendra standing just outside the main entrance consisting of two entrances to the building, seen the woman directing the people who brought the goods to be auctioned. She still looks beautiful, attractive and elegant, even in the summer, wearing parchment-colored trousers and a navy blue silk tank top, her neck wrapped in a thick gold necklace.

Jilena brings a contribution to the auction, a beautiful antique clock belonging to what they bought in the capital before they moved to this small town, Jilena hopes it will help Ratih to raise funds. He approached the woman, extending her a gift in both hands. "Hello, Mrs Arsyanendra."

"God. Jilena Margaretha's. Howareyou? It has been a few years.” said the woman with a surprised face to see the beautiful girl in front of her.

"Yes, twelve years, maybe more. I've never counted how long ?" Jilena forced a smile, considering the last time she saw Ratih, on the night that she and Noah delivered the news to their parents. “I brought something for your auction. I love that old auditorium building."

“It's very sweet. Just put it inside. My assistant will show you where you should put it."

Jilena stopped at the door, trying to ignore the line of people who were busy working on something behind her. "Do you think we can talk later?"

Train to lower his voice and lean body. "About what?"

“I am a reporter now, working for Lembayung Post. I'd like to make a story about your incredible auction."

“Oh, of course.” He sounded happy as his voice returned to full volume and he straightened up. “Give me a few minutes. I have to give these guys some direction, and we can sit down and chat.”

Jilena nodded, smiled, and stepped in. Spreading his eyes around the place.

...*...

After giving the antique clock to the assistant of Ratih, Jilena walked towards the auditorium, her gaze scrutinizing all the details of the beautiful building, the condition of this building does need to be renovated. Countless plays and musicals have been featured in the massive event in this room, not to mention all the school assembly and graduation events.

In the past, Jilena and Noah had come there to see some school plays, but he—had also come once with Jonathan. He almost forgot. At the time her school was doing a musical and Jilena was cast in the drama, before she started dating Noah. He and Jonathan attended a music event together to create an article for the school newspaper.

"That's it," Ratih said as he approached. "I thought you were going to go."

“No, I just admire this old auditorium.”

“She's beautiful, isn't she?” Ratih looked at the room. "Wait until we return him to his glory days. He'll make you fascinated.”

“How about we sit here?” Jilena pointed towards the row of chairs that were not far from where they were standing.

Ratih stepped towards the row of benches and sat down. Jilena took out a notebook and pen from her bag and sat down beside her.

“Now, can you tell me all about this auction event. Don't forget anything. ”

“I think I've got everything I need for an article. Thank you very much for your time.”

Jilena stuffed the notebook and the questioner into her bag and got up from her seat. He started to turn around to leave but turned back. “By the way, I want to ask you one more question."

"What's that?"

Jilena sat back on the edge of the chair, tilting her body staring at Ratih. “I'm also writing a story about the discovery of the skeleton of a woman found in green lake."

"I've read something about it" said Ratih calmly. "Then what do you want to ask me about that?"

"I have good reason to believe that she is Mariana." Jilena watched the look on Ratih's face to see his reaction. His eyes widened for a moment and then returned to normal. 'Maria. How could it be Mariana, who killed her? His mind was filled with questions. He could hardly believe what he had just heard.

“What makes you think that's him? Did the authorities confirm that? ”

“I have no right to say it, but I wonder if you might know him before."

“Yes, I know him. Not knowing well, of course. He used to work at the bank-you must know I mean," Ratih stroked his neck, looking a little uncomfortable with Jilena's question. She knew Mariana when she was working in a bank owned by her ex-husband.

“It's no secret that my ex-husband had a lot of women next to him when we got married. Mariana is one of them.” she said with a straight eye as if remembering something painful for her.

“This question may not feel good, but I have to ask. Have you ever wondered or thought? If Mr Arsyanendra is the father of the baby that Mariana conceived?" jilena asked to dig up as many stories as she wanted to know the truth.

Ratih Arsyanendra gasped in shock, his body pushed back as if he had been slapped by Jilena and his eyes widened to digest the girl's question.

His hand covered his open mouth in shock and he tried to catch his breath. He looked around, wanting to ascertain if there was anyone else there. He only saw a few people at the end of the hall who were arranging things, Ratih breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yes, I know. I know about the baby." he said slowly and sounded calm. Looking at Jilena's face with a glance, "But where do you know about the baby."

"I'm sorry, I can't say that" Jilena is now convinced of her suspicions.

"Did the girl know?" ask about Ramira.

"Yet. But he'll find out soon." replied Jilena.

It was seen that Ratih Arsyanendra was looking up at the stage with a blank look. "Arsyanendra sends Mariana money every month. Do you know about that too? I once advised her that it was not good, she should take responsibility because the baby was her child. But that guy never listens to me."