Secrets of Lakefront House
CHAPTER 37. RETRITION

Jilena was a little surprised by what Ratih said. I'm increasingly convinced there's been Arsyanendra's involvement with Mariana's death.

If true, I make sure the haughty and arrogant face of Mr. Arsyanendra is destroyed.

"Is that some kind of monthly money for the child?" ask Deandra.

"More precisely the bribe to shut Mariana's mouth."

"I'm sure, you would feel unhappy if some of the family's income was given to a woman who cheated on your husband, right?"

Ratih looked back at Jilena "Yes, right."

"I was angry and very anxious to strangle her neck for cheating on me with my husband."

"What made you not do it?"

"After I found out that Mariana was not the first woman to cheat on nor was she the last, it was already a lot. You know if his current wife is one of his affairs? When I found out about their affair, I was fed up and couldn't stand it anymore. Then I filed for divorce. Do you know about that too?"

"No. I don't know" Jilena saw the sadness in Ratih's eyes. There was a sense of compassion in his mind imagining the suffering and inner torment this woman was going through.

"What has happened let it happen" said Ratih in a soft and sad voice.

But that wasn't enough for Jilena to look for more information. "At the time Mariana was killed, were you in this town?"

"When did that happen?"

"Eleven years ago." There was no immediate confirmation of when the killing took place or how long the body had been buried there. Jilena only guesses because she remembers when Ramira saw her mother last time.

"I try to remember." Ratih looked up at the ceiling of the room and he touched her cheek. "That's it-ah yeah, I wasn't in this town at the time. I went on a vacation abroad."

His gaze led to Jilena and smiled in satisfaction. "I haven't had a vacation in a long time, so back then, I felt better for a vacation relieving fatigue and stress. I've been traveling around Europe for three months."

Her eyes grew up "You're not thinking I had anything to do with the woman's death, are you?"

Jilena was silent and could not answer. Because at this time anyone can be a suspect until strong evidence is found that leads to someone.

"You believe!" Ratih looked at him in disbelief "Are you serious? Do you think I'm capable of taking people's lives?"

"I'm sorry, Mrs Ratih but I have to ask you that. Because everyone has their own alibi."

Ratih stood up and looked at Jilena with a displeased look and wanted to end their conversation. "It would be better if you didn't put it in the paper about everything I told you. I will definitely refute all your statements and will say that I never spoke to you."

It seemed that Jilena did not heed Ratih's words and continued to ask "Did Noah know if Ramira was his sister?"

"Enough!" shouts Ratih.

But Jilena kept asking, "Maybe Noah wanted to stop Mariana from spreading the news of her pregnancy and who the father of the baby was to save his father's good name and his inheritance. It could be that Noah objected to sharing the inheritance with his half-sister."

Jilena got up from her seat and was about to leave, but she turned her head back and said "You must know that the police will ask the same thing as me. The truth will be revealed."

Walk out of the school building and into his car. Questions about Noah were disturbing him. Is it possible Noah did it? I don't know, I don't have any evidence that he's involved yet.

Noah was in town at the time, he was back on college vacation. Did he know about Ramira then? Or maybe his mom or dad told him? Did he hear or see anything? Maybe he saw proof of the money transfer at his dad's desk and then he found out everything? Ahhh.this is crazy.

But if true, perhaps Noah asked his father at the time, and Mr. Arsyanendra convinced Noah that Mariana would never tell Ramira about his biological father, that's why the deal or maybe Mr. Arsyanendra stopped giving Mariana money. Mr. Arsyanendra knew that Mariana would complain and if that happened he was perfectly capable of eliminating Mariana, and he threatened Mariana about that.

Did Noah want to make sure that the secret was kept tight and he didn't want to share the inheritance with his half-sister? Did he take Mariana to the lakeside house, torture her and then kill her so she couldn't tell Ramira?"

'I really hate to think that Noah can do it all, but money can blind anyone and make people do anything for money.

Jilena already has enough material to load in the newspaper tomorrow. Is it possible that everything he thinks is real? Or is he drifting in his own imagination?

Jilena stared at the clock on the wall, it was almost five in the afternoon, surely Ramira was waiting. I have to go see him and tell him who his father is, before someone will hurt him.

...*...

"Yes, my goodness Jilena! I've been waiting for you for a long time" Ramira cried as she opened the door, her body still wrapped in a bathrobe. "Try to see me. Very messed up."

"Sorry, I'm five minutes late." Jilena entered Ramira's small, femininely decorated house and there was a flower pot in the room that added a beautiful and fresh impression.

"You know, I've been nervous since noon."

"Biasalah, her name is also a first date. Don't worry, you'll be fine" said Jilena to calm her best friend.

Jilena waited for the right time to tell Ramira about Mr. Arsyanendra.

"Come with me. There's a lot you need to do for me, baby." Ramira pulls the girl's hand towards her room.

"What if I say something stupid? Or I'm nervous and don't know what to say." Ramira mondar mandir's.

"Please, Keenan comes to the cafe a lot and you talk a lot, so I don't think there's a problem."

"But it's different, Jil. Today we're on our first date, I'm afraid that I won't be able to take care of my attitude."

"Yes, already. Act as usual. Just like in a cafe, start with a little percakapsn."

"All right, but what if after the date she didn't like me?" ask Ramira.

"It's quiet. No need to think about it, so yourself," Jilena touched Ramira's shoulder "You're a pretty girl, funny and very smart. If Keenan can't see it all, then he's not your soul mate."

"You're right. I am a good girl and any man will be lucky to have me" Ramira said with a puffed up chest and smiled confidently.

"Remember, confidence is key" said Jilena patting the girl on the shoulder. "Be yourself and you will have your dreams."